Applied Computational Logic and Artificial Intelligence
ACLAI Lab, part of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at the University of Ferrara, focuses on studying, designing, and delivering artificial intelligence applications. Our research is focused on the edge between logic and AI, and our primary objective is to design mathematically sound and formally certified tools. We are also members of the OVERLAY research group.
Team

Prof. Guido Sciavicco
Associate Professor

Dr. Giacomo Piva
Adjunct Professor

Dr. Ionel Eduard Stan
PhD Student

Dr. Giovanni Pagliarini
PhD Student

Federico Manzella
Student
Projects
Geochemical fingerprinting of food products and water resources
We study, design, and implement protocols for geochemical fingerprinting based on physical, chemical, and isotopic data. We work with the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences of the University of Ferrara (Italy), the University of Còrdoba (Spain), and the Ayesa Foundation (Sevilla, Spain)
Medical data management and decision support system
In collaboration with the Research Center for the Study of Menopause and Osteoporosis of the University of Ferrara, we are designing and maintaining a data processing center equipped with a innovative decision support system.
Time series classification
We design and study new time series classification methods using symbolic, temporal-logic based knowledge extraction methods. At the moment, we are applying our techniques to many tasks; among them, we work with Siemens Europa, and we are trying to build systems that allow one to predict the need of maintenance of gas turbines.
Images classification
We are studying novel techniques for images classification and segmentation, based on symbolic, spatial-logic based knowledge extraction techniques. These techniques have shown promising results with satellite/areal data, specifically on the task of land cover classification.
Medical document classification and information extraction
This project, currently at the pre-design level, aims to build a system based on textual artificial intelligence which is able to help a medical doctor to identify, classify, and extract information from publicily available medical research papers. For this project, we collaborate with the Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna of the University of Ferrara.
Open data for everyone
This project, currently at the pre-design level, has the objective of offering a middle level between the administrative and economical Italian open data sources and the final user. We are realizing this idea in collaboration with the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Ferrara.
Research
ACLAI promotes an undergraduate research initiative for mathematics and computer science students. The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate undergraduate students to start their research career and enrich their curricula with conference and journal publications. The Bachelor Degree in Computer Science within the University of Ferrara, in particular, includes 21 ECTS credits (12+9) for internship and final project; students joining the undergraduate research initiative spend this amount of credits at the ACLAI laboratory, enjoy the possibility of studying extra-curricular topics, and, in some cases, publish early-stage theoretical and implementation results. Current and past students that have joined the program are:
- Dr. Davide Orsini
- Dr. Alan Bimbati
- Dr. Enrico Cominato
- Dr. Luigi Grossi
- Dr. Eduard Stan
- Dr. Federico Bulzoni
- Dr. Simone Gnani
- Dr. Alessia Paoletti
- Dr. Alessandro Passantino
- Dr. Elisabetta Gentili
- Dr. Alessandro Vaccari
- Dr. Maxim Nitsenko
- Dr. Stefano Trevisani
- Dr. Arianna Soriani
- Dr. Andrea Bercé
- Dr. Alberto Paparella
- Dr. Gabriele Spina
- Dr. Federico Vancini
- Federico Manzella