Program

Academic Format

The Cruise School is structured as an intensive one-week academic experience integrating lectures, laboratories, applied simulations, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

The total academic workload corresponds to 7 ECTS credits (CFU).

1. Core Lectures

The lecture component provides advanced foundations in:

  • Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Futures studies and strategic foresight
  • Governance and ethical frameworks
  • AI applications in industrial and public systems

Lectures are delivered by international scholars and combine theoretical rigor with real-world case discussions.

2. Thematic Modules

Participants choose or are assigned to one of two parallel tracks:

Engineering & Data-Driven Systems

  • Control and optimization
  • Digital and cognitive twins
  • Energy and industrial AI systems
  • Data pipelines and operational efficiency

Policy, Society & Governance

  • Causal inference and evaluation
  • AI governance and regulation
  • Socio-technical transformation
  • Public-sector innovation
  • Ethics-by-design

3. Laboratories

Laboratories translate theory into practice.

Participants engage in:

  • AI modeling exercises
  • Applied data analysis
  • Scenario building
  • Policy simulation
  • Operational system analysis

Work is conducted in mixed interdisciplinary teams.

4. Business Game

A central component of the program is a structured Business Game, designed as a dynamic and challenging team-based simulation of decision-making in complex, innovation-driven environments. Participants work in interdisciplinary groups, where collaboration among diverse backgrounds and perspectives is essential to success. Within this interactive setting, teams are required to:

  • Allocate resources effectively
  • Evaluate technological investments
  • Manage risk and uncertainty
  • Balance economic sustainability and social impact
  • Respond to regulatory constraints
  • Cooperate strategically under pressure
  • Develop inventive solutions to emerging problems
  • Present their projects with creativity, clarity, and persuasive impact

More than a traditional simulation, the Business Game is conceived as a challenging and engaging learning experience that encourages participants to combine analytical reasoning with teamwork, negotiation, inventiveness, and problem-solving skills. Special emphasis is placed on the ability to work collectively, leverage interdisciplinary knowledge, and communicate ideas in an original and convincing way. The simulation fosters strategic thinking, adaptability, creativity, and integrated decision-making, preparing participants to face real-world innovation challenges in collaborative professional contexts.ng.

5. Interdisciplinary Project

Throughout the week, participants develop a team-based applied project.

Each project includes:

  • Problem definition
  • AI-enabled solution concept
  • Governance and ethical analysis
  • Implementation roadmap

The program concludes with a final academic showcase where teams present their outcomes.

6. Evaluation

Assessment is based on:

  • Active participation
  • Laboratory engagement
  • Business Game performance
  • Final project presentation

Participants who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate of Participation and documentation for ECTS recognition.

7. Software & Preparation

Participants must bring their own laptops.

Workshops utilize widely adopted tools in Python and R.

No advanced prerequisites are required, but familiarity with quantitative reasoning is recommended