Information and Communications Technology ICT

The Canton of Ticino is now recognised as a hub of excellence for information and communication technologies (ICT), thanks to the presence of innovative companies and research institutions of international calibre.

In terms of academia and research, the region is home to leading institutes such as IDSIA (Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi sull'Intelligenza Artificiale), one of the most prestigious in machine learning and AI, and the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano, with its “Alps” supercomputer, one of the most powerful in the world and accessible to researchers and industry. In terms of education, the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is home to the Faculty of Informatics and is dedicated to research on embedded systems, sensor networks and secure architectures, with a strong focus on applied innovation. At the same time, at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), the Department of Innovative Technologies continues to address issues related to data privacy and cybersecurity, IT and digitalisation, as well as management and industrial engineering in its basic and continuing education programmes and in research and development.

In the field of communication, the Institute of Digital Technologies for Communication (ITDxC) at USI studies intersections between digital media, tourism, government, digital fashion, regulatory semantics and user experience, also contributing to Master's programmes and UNESCO initiatives.

On the institutional and urban front, the city of Lugano promotes the Lugano Living Lab (L*3), an urban open innovation laboratory where citizens, businesses, universities and the administration test innovative digital solutions in real contexts to improve quality of life, public services and territorial competitiveness.

The area is rich in companies and activities in this field, but there is also no shortage of events related to the world of technology. Thanks also to the Associazione Ticinese Evoluzione Digitale (Ated), which has been operating for decades and supports the spread of digital culture by organising courses, conferences, events and networking between professionals, schools and local businesses.

Lugano is an ideal location for organising events related to the new information and communication technology sector, offering numerous opportunities for networking and new partnerships.