A major conference in Rome on December 4 and 5 marks its launch
The Society for the Ethics and Politics of Artificial Intelligence (SEPAI) has been established as a new center for research and critical reflection dedicated to the scholarly communities engaged in examining the ethical and political dimensions of artificial intelligence. SEPAI’s inaugural conference will take place in Rome on December 4 and 5, 2025, at the New Rectorate of Roma Tre University on Via Ostiense 133. The event marks a foundational moment for both Italian and international debate on how artificial intelligence is redefining the boundaries of human decision making and reshaping social, economic, and cultural paradigms.
The conference, which will host more than 100 speakers across 26 thematic roundtables, is jointly promoted by Roma Tre University, which is hosting the event, and Pegaso University, under the coordination of Mario De Caro and Andrea Lavazza.
The initiative is supported by Rivista.AI, a publication specializing in artificial intelligence and digital culture, by Roma Future Week, a platform for urban innovation and future studies, and by Brand Genesi, a strategic communication firm that brings together storytelling, technology, and an ethical vision of innovation. Together, these partners aim to deepen public reflection on the responsible use of AI, placing ethics at the core of technological progress.
International Conference in Rome with 100 Leading Speakers
SEPAI’s inaugural conference will gather more than one hundred Italian and international scholars including philosophers, scientists, policymakers, and technology leaders to discuss the relationship between artificial intelligence, decision making, and responsibility. From Luciano Floridi to Ned Block, from Shannon Vallor to Maurizio Ferraris, from Sylvie Delacroix to Gino Roncaglia, from Roberto Navigli to Giuseppe De Pietro, the dialogue among experts aims to open a frank and inclusive debate on the implications of an increasingly automated data economy, the challenges of algorithmic transparency, and the tensions between efficiency and human freedom.
“The real question isn’t whether artificial intelligence is useful, but whether it is just,” states SEPAI’s organizing committee. “Without a shared ethical framework, the risk is that AI becomes an accelerator of inequality rather than a tool for collective progress.”
In a context where the speed of innovation often outpaces regulatory capacity, SEPAI positions itself as a space for cultural mediation, capable of translating technological complexity into political and social language that is easier to understand. It is not a traditional think tank but rather a “society for digital critical thought,” designed to influence policy, industry, and public opinion through interdisciplinary dialogue.
Engagement from Business and Civil Society
The initiative is supported by Enel, the project’s main sponsor, which reaffirms its commitment to responsible innovation aimed at collective well being. Enel supports SEPAI as a strategic partner, recognizing ethics as an essential foundation for a digital transition that is fair, safe, and truly centered on human needs.
Rivista.AI will contribute by disseminating research and analysis on AI ethics, while Roma Future Week will provide the ideal framework to bring the discussion to the city that symbolizes European governance and culture. Brand Genesi will oversee communication strategy and narrative positioning, highlighting the hybrid language of science and humanistic inquiry that defines SEPAI.
The inaugural conference will be open to the public and will feature contributions from academics, experts in technology law, and leaders from the AI industry. The event will also serve as an interactive lab, offering immersive experiences and artistic experiments that explore the boundaries between human creativity and generative artificial intelligence.
The launch of SEPAI marks a significant step in establishing Italy as a European reference point in debates on AI ethics. It is not an exercise in academic style but a concrete commitment to shaping a new digital humanism in which technology does not replace conscience but amplifies it.
Global Scientific Partnerships from the Anglosphere to China
SEPAI also announces a new partnership with AI & Innovation, an international journal published by Wiley and based in China, which will serve as the Association’s official scientific journal. The publication stands out for its global scope and interdisciplinary approach to the cultural, social, and technological transformations driven by artificial intelligence, promoting an open dialogue among stakeholders. As part of this collaboration, AI & Innovation will publish a special issue dedicated to the themes explored during the Rome conference, featuring selected contributions from participating authors.
Two other prominent international scientific journals, Philosophy and Technology and the Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, have also expressed interest in collaborating with SEPAI. This is a particularly significant signal considering the Society has only just been established. The immediate attention confirms the project’s potential and highlights the relevance of the work SEPAI aims to carry out in the field of AI ethics and politics.
The Italian Educational Community Also Participates
Finally, the Italian Philosophical Society (SFI) which brings together more than a thousand members including university professors and secondary school teachers has granted its patronage to the SEPAI conference. This recognition underscores SEPAI’s commitment to educational engagement and to fostering structured dialogue with academic and school institutions. The SFI’s endorsement also highlights the importance of promoting interdisciplinary discussion on the ethics and politics of artificial intelligence, supporting broader cultural and educational dissemination of these critical topics.