The ORBIS project has successfully activated synergies with the Master program on “Artificial Intelligence for Public Services” (AI4GOV) of POLI.design, Politecnico di Milano. 

The AI4GOV Master targets graduates and professionals from diverse fields including humanities, polytechnic, and managerial disciplines interested in designing, implementing, and managing AI in public services. The Master specifically intends to develop skills to handle digital transformation in public administration effectively and align services with citizens’ rights. The program prepares participants for roles as Digital Innovation Specialists, AI Services Managers, AI Governance Experts, and Digital Transformation Managers in various organizations such as UNESCO, OECD, JRC, and the European Commission.

ORBIS enters Project Work 3, co-led by Ilaria Mariani, which consists of a 5 week module that engages about 30 participants on designing AI for active listening and citizen participation. 

In this setting, insights and data gathered from ORBIS use cases are used as foundational materials in coursework, allowing students to analyze and engage with real-world scenarios. 

 

This synergy showcases an effective way for integrating advanced research and practical applications into the academic curriculum. A  collaboration that enriches the educational experience by providing the Master cohort with direct exposure to advanced research on AI-based tools and methodologies currently being explored and implemented within the ORBIS framework.

This collaboration extends along the entire module, by integrating its operational framework and ongoing research into the academic curriculum. As a consequence, the cohort will be engaged in several meaningful ways aimed at enhancing their learning experience and understanding of AI in public governance.

1. A Case Study for experimentation. ORBIS serves as a foundational case study within the Project Work 3 of the master curriculum, providing a clear framework and direction for experimentation in AI-enhanced e-participation. It exemplifies how theoretical concepts can be applied in real-world settings, offering a structured environment to explore and engage with complex AI-related challenges for democratic engagement and technology integration.
2. Identification of user needs through direct research with stakeholders. ORBIS provides the specific user needs gathered during the initial phases of the project for informing the conceptualisation and design of AI-enhanced e-participation tools. The presence of Berta Mitzsei from the Center of European Policy Studies, representing ORBIS Pilot 3, brings these insights into the classroom. Her involvement ensures that the curriculum and student projects are directly informed by real needs identified in deliberative democracy settings, making the academic exercises not only relevant but also impactful.
3. Training events on ORBIS socio-technical solution. ORBIS hosts a practical training event that introduces students to its socio-technical solutions developed through the project. Luca Anastasious from Open University leads this session, showcasing ORBIS platforms and toolkits. These events provide hands-on experience in using and understanding state-of-the-art AI tools which ORBIS designed and implemented for enhancing citizen participation and deliberation in policy-making.
4. Open Data for tool conceptualisation. Lastly, ORBIS offers access to its open data from its pilot activities online, providing first-hand data for the conceptualization and development of additional AI-based tools. This real-world data is used to trigger actionable insights, and further explore possible innovative solutions that address the true dynamics and challenges of e-participation.

Overall, ORBIS’s synergy with the Master in Artificial Intelligence for Public Services exemplifies a relevant example of technology transfer. It presents a comprehensive approach to integrating a research project within an educational setting, bridging theory with practice.