Artificial intelligence and rights
How to innovate while putting people, transparency and fundamental rights first.
Italy's national digital debate
arrives in Naples.
IGF Italia comes to Naples for the first time: two days of open dialogue, on 29 October at the former Cirio university campus in San Giovanni a Teduccio and on 30 October at Federico II's historic venue on Via Parthenope, bringing together institutions, businesses, universities, the technical community, civil society and many young people and students.
01 THE EVENT
For the first time, Italy's national digital debate comes to Naples.
Not just another conference.
A space where every voice counts.
IGF Italia is Italy's national initiative of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum and is part of the global network of National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs), the multistakeholder forum that has brought together governments, businesses, the technical community and civil society since 2006 to discuss the future of the network. Under the IGF's multistakeholder model, institutions, businesses, the technical community, universities, civil society and young people all take part in the discussion on an equal footing.
The initiative operates under the IGF Italia Committee, established at the Department for Digital Transformation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which fosters coordination between institutions and the different components of the national multistakeholder community. The 2026 edition also features the participation of Youth IGF Italy, Italy's initiative dedicated to engaging young people in Internet governance processes and part of the international network of Youth IGF Initiatives.
For the first time in Naples, this edition continues a journey that has involved various Italian regions over the years, in keeping with the open, inclusive and distributed nature of the initiative. The event takes place at the San Giovanni a Teduccio university campus, in the former Cirio factory: a site that the University of Naples Federico II has transformed from disused industrial archaeology into a research and innovation hub open to the neighbourhood, a concrete example of urban regeneration.
NAPLES · TWO FEDERICO II VENUES
A journey across two places, from regeneration to history.
The opening on 29 October takes place at the San Giovanni a Teduccio campus, in the former Cirio factory: for over half a century, tomatoes grown in the region were processed here; today it is a research and innovation hub following its redevelopment by the University of Naples Federico II. On 30 October, the event moves to Federico II's historic venue on Via Parthenope, in the heart of Naples: two faces of the same university, one of regeneration, one of tradition.
29 OctoberSan Giovanni a Teduccio, former Cirio campus · map
30 OctoberVia Parthenope, Federico II's historic venue · map
AmbassadorsUniNa students playing a leading role in the organisation
WHAT IS THE IGF · FIND OUT MORE
To understand what the Internet Governance Forum really is and how it fits into Italy's institutional path, here are the official references.
InstitutionsBusinessesUniversitiesYoung people and studentsTechnical communityCivil society
02 THE DEBATE
The questions that will shape
our digital tomorrow.
An agenda built through an open and participatory process, starting from the contributions gathered through the public consultation and discussion with the multistakeholder community.
Sovereignty and digital rules
The role of Europe and Italy in a global network that is open and accountable.
Cybersecurity for local communities
Tools, skills and alliances for more resilient public administrations and communities.
Skills and inclusion
A widespread digital culture to close gaps and broaden participation.
03 SESSION PROGRAMME
18 sessions · 8 thematic areas · two days
Ideas, discussions and perspectives
for the digital future.
A multidisciplinary programme spanning the great challenges of Internet governance, from technology to rights, from local communities to global cooperation.
Download the PDF programme · 29 October
Note: the downloadable PDF programme is currently available in Italian only.
San Giovanni a Teduccio, former Cirio campus · Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 70, 80146 Naples
| Time | Aula Magna | Aula Apple | Aula Digita | Aula 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome · Registration and welcome of participants | |||
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Plenary · Institutional greetings (streamed live via Teams to all rooms) | |||
| 09:30 – 10:10 | Coffee break (includes moving to the rooms) | |||
| 10:10 – 11:15 Session 1 |
Agentic artificial intelligence: technology and governance | Cybersecurity and the National Perimeter: the social impact of NIS2 | Net neutrality, peering and IP interconnection | — |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Q&A | |||
| 11:30 – 11:35 | Moving between rooms | |||
| 11:35 – 12:40 Session 2 |
Technology and transcendence: ethical and cultural reflections on AI | Quantum computing: state of research, governance and gatekeeping | European digital sovereignty: EUID Wallet and Trusted European Platforms | New domain names |
| 12:40 – 12:55 | Q&A | |||
| 12:55 – 13:55 | Lunch | |||
| 13:55 – 15:00 Session 3 |
Civic AI | Quantum technologies and security: from quantum computing to new challenges | Fighting disinformation and cognitive sovereignty | IGF Italia Youth session Youth Online Safety – Are Social Media Age Bans a Solution? |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Q&A | |||
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Afternoon coffee break | |||
| 15:45 – 16:50 Session 4 |
Digital sustainability: data and perspectives | Public administration and the digital sovereignty challenge: the case of email | Workshop (to be confirmed) | — |
| 16:50 – 17:05 | Q&A | |||
| 17:05 – 17:10 | Moving between rooms | |||
| 17:10 – 18:15 Session 5 |
AI and SMEs: technology transfer, governance and territorial competitiveness | How digital citizenship is changing: opportunities, responsibilities and the digital divide | NRIs as Bridges: Connecting Local Experience and Global Digital Governance (session in English) | Learning in the age of AI: how digital skills are changing with DigComp 3.0 |
| 18:15 – 18:30 | Q&A | |||
| 18:30 | Close of the day | |||
Sessions are also grouped by room and theme: Aula Magna — Artificial intelligence, digital sustainability; Aula Apple — NIS2, quantum computing, digital sovereignty and email; Aula Digita — Digital sovereignty (EUID Wallet), disinformation, net neutrality; Aula 5G — New domain names, Youth session, DigComp 3.0. The 15:45–16:50 workshop in Aula Digita is still to be confirmed and is not included in the count of the 18 themed sessions below.
Explore by theme
Seats available at registration
No session matches your search.
Download the PDF programme · 30 October
Note: the downloadable PDF programme is currently available in Italian only.
Single plenary session · Aula Magna (300 seats); a smaller room (50 seats) is available as overflow.
- 09:30 – 10:30PlenaryGoverning artificial intelligence: science, ethics and responsibility in the global debate
- 10:30 – 11:30PlenaryGoverning digital change: leadership, trust and responsibility
- 11:30 – 12:00Coffee breakCoffee break
- 12:00 – 13:30PlenaryIGF Next: From WSIS+20 to Nairobi 2026 and Beyond (session in English)
- 13:30 – 14:30LunchLunch
- 14:30 – 15:00PlenaryFrom global commitments to national action: Italian best practices for WSIS and the GDC
- 15:00 – 16:00Closing sessionIGF Italia 2026: results, priorities and follow-up actions
- 16:00 – 16:30Open MicComments, proposals and priorities from the IGF Italia community
Each session runs 65 minutes of content followed by 15 minutes of Q&A (unless noted otherwise); the institutional greetings at 9:00–9:30 take place in Aula Magna and are streamed via Teams to all rooms. The 14:30–15:00 talks are still to be confirmed (30-minute placeholder duration). In the closing session (15:00–16:00), theme leads report back on the outcomes of 29 October and discuss next steps. At the Open Mic (16:00–16:30) each contribution is 3 minutes. Timings have been recalculated from the file provided: lunch was moved to after the 12:00–13:30 session ends (which overlapped it by 30 minutes in the original document), and every following activity was shifted accordingly, keeping all stated durations unchanged.
04 OPEN BADGE
Your contribution leaves a mark.
Skills and experience
you can take with you.
Open Badges are verifiable digital credentials: they tell the story of what you have learned and recognise the value of your commitment.
OPEN BADGE · SKILLS
AI, sovereignty and digital skills
To recognise the knowledge gained on the core themes of Internet governance and digital transformation.
- Verifiable digital credential
- Issued by the University of Naples Federico II
- Shareable in your professional portfolio
OPEN BADGE · ORGANISATION
UniNa Ambassador
Recognition for those who devote time, energy and skill to the organisation and the community.
- Recognises on-the-ground contribution
- Acknowledges mentoring and collaboration
- Certifies hands-on experience
05 SPEAKERS
Updated progressively
Those bringing their experience
to IGF Italia 2026.
Confirmed speaker profiles are published in this section as they are added to the programme.
Speakers will be published in this section progressively, as they are confirmed.
06 PRACTICAL INFO
For those coming from outside Naples.
Where to stay
and how to get organised.
This section will be updated progressively with any partner rates for hotels and other accommodation, as soon as they are available.
Information on the area around the two campuses and practical tips for getting between the venues will also follow, useful for anyone attending from outside Naples.
29 October · San Giovanni a Teduccio
Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 70 · 80146 Naples
- From the airport
- The most direct option is a taxi, at the fixed rate set by the City of Naples (about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic). By public transport, it's best to first reach Napoli Centrale station with the Alibus and continue as described below.
- From the station
- From Napoli Centrale, take Metro Line 2 and get off at the San Giovanni–Barra stop, a few minutes' walk from the campus. Alternatively, the EAV line (former Circumvesuviana) towards Sorrento stops at Corso San Giovanni, also close to the entrance.
- By public transport
- The area is also served by several ANM city bus lines. It's advisable to check the route and closest stop with a public transport app (e.g. Moovit or Google Maps) on the day of the event.
- By taxi
- From Piazza Garibaldi/Napoli Centrale, about 15 minutes.
- By car
- Take the Naples ring road (Tangenziale) or the A3 Napoli–Salerno motorway, exit San Giovanni a Teduccio/Barra, then follow signs for Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani. The campus has an internal car park.
- On foot
- From the San Giovanni–Barra metro stop, the campus is a few minutes' walk away.
30 October · Via Parthenope
Via Partenope, 36 · 80121 Naples
- From the airport
- The Alibus connects the airport to Napoli Centrale station in about 20–30 minutes (the ticket is also valid for a subsequent city bus). Alternatively, a taxi reaches the seafront area directly in about 20–25 minutes.
- From the station
- From Piazza Garibaldi/Napoli Centrale, take a city bus towards the seafront (e.g. line 151) and get off around Piazza Vittoria, a few minutes' walk from Via Partenope; or take Metro Line 1 to Municipio or Toledo, then continue on foot towards the seafront (15–20 minutes).
- By public transport
- The area is served by several city bus lines stopping near Via Acton, Via Chiatamone and Via Partenope.
- By taxi
- From Piazza Garibaldi/Napoli Centrale, about 10–15 minutes.
- By car
- From the ring road or motorway, follow signs for Napoli Centro / Via Marina / Piazza Municipio, then continue towards Via Acton and the Caracciolo seafront/Via Partenope. Central area with traffic and limited parking: it's advisable to arrange parking in advance.
- On foot
- From Napoli Centrale, the walk is about 35–40 minutes along Corso Umberto I and Via Depretis; it's more convenient to take public transport for the first stretch.
Indicative routes: public transport lines, timetables and journey times may vary. It's advisable to check with a public transport app (Moovit, Google Maps) on the day of the event.
07 TAKE PART
NAPLES · 29–30 OCTOBER 2026
Internet governance
isn't delegated. It's built together.
Bring your experience, your questions and your vision. Join the IGF Italia 2026 journey.
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