About Us
MUSEMI - Meet us for SEminars @uniMI- is a series of seminars organised by Phd computer science students of the university of Milan.
The main purpose is both to share knowledge among different research groups inside the Computer Science Department and to have the occasion for practicing public speaking.
We think that the main driving force for research is meeting with other enthusiastic people and exchange of ideas.
At the same time we wanted to create a familiar place where younger researchers (first of all Phd students) could start to learn how to communicate and present their ideas.
The meetings are set once in two weeks, they last about 1h30mins and they comprehend two presentations.
There are two possible presentation formats: a longer one (30-35mins) and a shorter one (15-20mins).
As the main aim of those meetings is to create networking between people, at the end of the presentation there is the chance of a question time.
Presentations are mainly held by Phd students, but also professors or older researchers are welcome to propose their topics for the next appointments.
Next scheduled meetings will follow.
Calendar
NEXT:
21 May 2025 | h 14:30 | @Sala Consiglio 8th floor
Talk
Consciousness and Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Integrated Information and Synthetic Minds
Antonio Fusillo
Foundation models are achieving impressive performance across a range of domains, from vision to language, prompting growing interest in the question of whether such systems could be conscious. In this talk, I will begin by outlining the problem of consciousness, distinguishing its core challenges and philosophical dimensions. I will then introduce Integrated Information Theory (IIT), a leading theoretical framework that attempts to quantify and explain consciousness in physical systems. Equipped with this foundation, we will examine the structure and behavior of current AI systems—particularly large neural networks—through the lens of IIT, exploring to what extent, if any, these models might exhibit consciousness. The talk will conclude with insights into how theoretical principles from consciousness research could inform the future design and evaluation of artificial systems.
Panel
Who are you visiting?
Spending a period abroad during the PhD is often an enriching experience, but it also comes with its share of practical and emotional challenges. From identifying the right host institution and supervisor, to managing funding applications, visas, institutional approvals, and accommodation – the process can quickly become overwhelming, especially for those facing it for the first time. This panel aims to be a space for sharing knowledge, questions, and experiences related to organizing a research stay abroad. Whether you’re already planning your visit or just starting to think about it, we’ll talk together about what works, what’s tricky, and what we wish we knew. We'll cover practical tips, common pitfalls, and the less-talked-about aspects of living and working in a new environment. The session will also serve as a space to collect questions and concerns that can be passed on to administrative staff or supervisors, with the goal of making this important step in the PhD journey more transparent and approachable. Whether you’re planning your visit or just starting to think about it, this is a chance to gain clarity and confidence from those who’ve already been there.