DIAS welcomes Fabrizio Montesi as new Chair of Science

Professor Montesi, who is Head of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Programming Languages at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA), is known for pioneering Choreographic Programming, an innovative approach designed to enhance the productivity and safety in the programming of connected digital systems. He is also the co-creator and maintainer of Jolie, a programming technology specifically developed for digital services. His contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including an ERC Consolidator Grant and the SDU Innovation Prize.

Technological literacy and the promise of interdisciplinarity

Professor Montesi and his team research new mathematical principles and programming technology for mastering the complexity of interconnected digital systems, such as internet services and cloud computing applications. They advocate for every citizen’s fundamental understanding of the computer systems that we rely on as a society.

This understanding, Montesi stresses, is necessary for our technological advancement as an information society, but it can also help society at large to comprehend what the systems actually do, why they do it, and what we can do if they malfunction.

- We seek methods that experts can confidently rely on and, at the same time, can be leveraged to ultimately provide clear explanations to layman users. This is key, for example, to unlocking the true potential of digital democracy in the future, he explains.

Montesi further emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling societal challenges.

- The more significant the problem, the more essential it becomes to collaborate across fields. As the first computer scientist in this role, I hope to bring valuable insights to our discussions while also gaining knowledge from other disciplines.

Curiosity as a driving force

DIAS is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant, open environment that encourages curiosity-driven research and collaboration among researchers of varying backgrounds and expertise. With Professor Montesi's inauguration, DIAS is poised to further enrich the University of Southern Denmark’s academic community and its contributions to global research dialogues.

Aglae Pizzone, DIAS Senior Fellow of Humanities, is excited about Professor Montesi’s new position as DIAS Chair, stating:

- I was thrilled when I heard that Fabrizio is joining the Chairs. If DIAS is looking for scientists driven by curiosity, there could not be a better match. I am convinced that Fabrizio will contribute a great deal to mentoring and energizing the new cohort of Fellows who are about to start their journey at DIAS.

Fabrizio Montesi himself also talks eagerly about his new affiliation with DIAS:

- I am truly excited to join DIAS, which I consider a treasure of research excellence. The opportunity to engage with some of the best minds across disciplines is both humbling and inspiring. I look forward to learning from my esteemed colleagues and contributing with fresh perspectives, he says.

At DIAS, we warmly welcome Professor Montesi to our community and look forward to following the novel points of view and innovative collaborations that will emerge from his presence.

For more information about Professor Fabrizio Montesi, please visit his website.