The experience of the Pacinotti School in Taranto, an Ital.IA Lab hub.
The A. Pacinotti Technical Institute in Taranto stands out for its strong drive for educational and didactic innovation, with an eye always open to new technology. Thanks to the vision of the school director, Vito Giuseppe Leopardo, a team of teachers was able to seize the opportunities offered by innovation.
A Privileged Outlook on Project Ital.IA Lab
Engineer Fabio Cito, professor and PCTO course coordinator, provides us with a unique perspective on Project Ital.IA Lab and the impact of artificial intelligence in the school. “Being one of the 18 hubs for Project Ital-IA Lab is a unique opportunity for our students. In collaboration with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Microsoft Italia, we have opened a significant and qualifying window on the world of AI,” says Cito.
From Industry to School: Lifelong Learning Courses
After years working as a manager in a large private company, Cito chose to dedicate himself to public education. A former Pacinotti student, he followed in the footsteps of his mentor, professor Gaetano Manzulli, now a coach for Project Ital.IA Lab, creating a bridge between the school’s past and present.
Changing Outlook and Practical Applications
The training provided by Ital.IA Lab played a crucial role in changing teachers' attitudes towards AI. “At the beginning, there was a certain distrust,” explains Cito. “However, after the training course, we began to see AI as a precious tool and the incredibly informed students showed that they understood its potential better than us.”
The project also involved a local company in the electro-instrumental and automation sector that provided students with the opportunity to explore AI applications in a real context, such as a supervision and control system for the railway sector.
Orientation and Skills for the Future
“AI is not just an object of study. It has become an integral part of daily life, especially for young people. It is essential we provide them with the tools to understand and use this technology in an informed manner, thus preparing them for the future,” concludes Cito.
In addition to Fabio Cito’s words and his role in the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to the Pacinotti Technical Institute in Taranto, here are the precious outlook of two other members of the school community.
Giulio Arpaia: An Immersion into the Potential of AI
“The lessons were engaging and interactive, never boring or monotonous,” says Giulio Arpaia, a student in the computer science programme, Class 3B. Before the course, he was not aware of AI's ability to generate images and videos. Now, however, he recognizes the importance of using AI consciously and sees its potential in various fields. Giulio has experimented with AI in both school and personal settings, using it to analyse football statistics and for other hobbies. He underlines that the efficient use of AI is not as simple as it might seem: “During a training meeting, for example, before I was able to transform a script into a video that met my expectations, I had to change the prompt several times.” Looking to the future, Giulio intends to continue his studies in computer science, convinced that skills in the use of AI will be a fundamental asset.
Prof.ssa Teresa Nastro: Education and Motivation
Prof. Teresa Nastro, PCTO tutor for Class 3B, underlines the effectiveness of course proposed by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, which is close to the specific needs of the school and students. She describes the lessons as interactive, motivating, and above all effective in providing an education that adequately prepares students for the challenges of the future.
