SIGMA.SPACE
Research initiative of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies
at Alma Mater Europaea
National competence hub for applied artificial intelligence
An open space where knowledge about artificial intelligence develops into competences, research pilots, partnerships and solutions with measurable societal impact.
From the first microcredential to doctoral research. From research to applied artificial intelligence.
Community
SIGMA Community
SIGMA.SPACE connects students, doctoral candidates, researchers, experts, companies, public institutions and international partners in a shared development space for applied artificial intelligence.
SIGMA
Applied AI Ecosystem
Students
Doctoral candidates
Researchers
Alma Mater Europaea University
Companies
Public sector
Experts
International partners
30+ doctoral students
25+ partners
5+ projects
3+ pilots
10+ education activities
What We Develop
SIGMA is a development environment connecting research, education, collaboration and the use of artificial intelligence.
It brings together students, doctoral candidates, researchers, experts, companies, public institutions and international partners in a shared space for collaboration. By connecting knowledge, research work and practical experience, it supports the development of competences, research initiatives, pilot solutions and long-term partnerships in applied artificial intelligence.
Continuous Development Pathway
SIGMA.SPACE connects the full development pathway.
From AI literacy, microcredentials and study to doctoral research, pilot solutions and their practical use.
AI Literacy
First contact with artificial intelligence, basic understanding and responsible use.
Microcredentials
Short structured learning pathways for verifiable AI competence development.
Study
Undergraduate and master's education as a foundation for professional development.
Doctoral Study
Development of researchers and the first doctoral programme in applied AI in Slovenia.
Research and Pilots
Research work, project initiatives, demonstrators and pilot solutions.
Use and Impact
Partnerships, implementation and responsible AI use in practice.
Education, Microcredentials and Events.
Education for different target groups.
SIGMA.SPACE develops education for different target groups – from AI literacy and microcredentials to professional training, research content and public events. It is intended for pupils, students, researchers, companies, public institutions and other organisations seeking to understand, develop and use artificial intelligence.
Professional training and workshops
Professional training, workshops and introductory formats for competence development in applied artificial intelligence.
Structured AI competence development
Short structured programmes with defined learning outcomes for verifiable development of AI competences.
Public presentations and meetings
Lectures, presentations, public discussions and meetings designed to share knowledge and connect communities.
Pilots and Applications
Applied artificial intelligence develops through projects, data and communities.
SIGMA.SPACE connects education, research, public pilots, responsible AI use and emerging digital twins. Individual projects create an evidence trail for the broader development of applied artificial intelligence across public, research and partner environments.
Digital twins
Public pilots
AI literacy
Responsible use
Research and outreach
DIRDET: digital twin for rural development
A cross-border project for smart, inclusive and data-supported planning of rural areas through the use of digital twin methods.
- Track
- spatial planning, scenarios, municipalities, cross-border cooperation
- SIGMA role
- evidence of linking research, data and local decision-making
BioGemTwin: biodiversity, environmental data and LiDAR
A digital twin prototype connecting expert knowledge, environmental data, artificial intelligence and scenarios for biodiversity protection.
- Track
- biodiversity, climate resilience, tree-species recognition
- SIGMA role
- methodological bridge between digital twins, AI and environmental management
BLUETWIN-CE: blue zones and well-being
A transnational project supporting rural communities through digital twin applications, data simulations and health and well-being strategies.
- Track
- local communities, health, well-being, participatory development
- SIGMA role
- evidence of AI and digital twin use in a public development context
GW-CARE: groundwater and climate risks
A project developing data-supported and interoperable approaches for more proactive groundwater management and resilient water systems.
- Track
- monitoring, models, data, decision-making, public interest
- SIGMA role
- linking AI methods, infrastructure and risk governance
Artificial intelligence for young people
An education programme for children and young people developing digital competences, AI understanding, critical judgement and safe, creative technology use.
- Track
- DigComp 2.2, practical learning, age-adapted learning pathways
- SIGMA role
- competence axis for future applied AI development
Inside SIGMA
What we observe, connect and open.
UIDT participation in professional and international events supports SIGMA.SPACE as a space for applied artificial intelligence, digital twins, environmental data, education and responsible technological transformation.
Technology, media and societal transformation
UIDT contributed to an international discussion on artificial intelligence, generative media and strategic collaboration between science, industry and society.
Conference programmeFrom groundwater to artificial intelligence
The event connected environmental data, hydrogeology, artificial intelligence and international knowledge exchange for sustainable groundwater management.
Read moreEuropean artificial intelligence summit
Participation in a European AI summit strengthens the connection between SIGMA.SPACE and debates on the future of AI, research, higher education and European innovation.
Read moreArtificial intelligence: from vision to trust
UIDT follows national discussions on safe, trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence and collaboration between researchers, the state and industry.
In Collaboration with UIDT
SIGMA.SPACE is a research initiative of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies at Alma Mater Europaea.
UIDT provides the academic and research foundation for SIGMA, which connects research work with education, development projects, partnerships and the practical use of artificial intelligence. The development of SIGMA.SPACE is grounded in the research and pedagogical work of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies and in the first doctoral programme in applied artificial intelligence in Slovenia.
Research Core
SIGMA.SPACE as a research community.
Strategic Coordination
Leadership and long-term directionStrategic coordination guides scientific development, international collaboration, research leadership and the long-term positioning of SIGMA.SPACE.
- Maciej Wielgosz - Strategic Lead; Machine Learning Researcher at NIBIO and Associate Professor at AGH University of Science and Technology.
- Matej Mertik - Strategic Lead; Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, Alma Mater Europaea.
Programme Coordination and Implementation Support
Programme leadership, doctoral pathway and operational deliveryThe group connects the community hub's core programme areas and provides support for research activities, the doctoral pathway and internal processes.
Programme Leads
- Matevž Vremec - Lead for Education.
- Tomaž Goričan - Lead for Research Pilots.
- Tadeu da Ponte - Lead for Research Development and Innovation.
Support and Operational Coordination
- Aleksandar Brodschneider - Doctoral Pathway and Research Process Support.
- Petra Braček Kirbiš - Operational Coordinator.
Academic and Research Associates
Researchers, educators and external academic collaboratorsAcademic and research associates contribute to education, research content, European projects and the scientific development of SIGMA.SPACE.
- Boris Podobnik - Academic Associate; professor of economics at ZSEM, research fellow at Boston University's Centre for Polymer Studies, and professor of mathematics at the University of Rijeka.
Doctoral Students
Doctoral research communityDoctoral students conduct research within the SIGMA.SPACE ecosystem and contribute to research projects, pilots, seminars and international activities.
- Andrew Vennekotter
- Dominique Ronde
- Nina Rechberger
- Louis Denis Mono Tsango
- Anna-Katharina Herke
- Ilona Negro
Strategic Partners
Institutional, research and innovation partnersStrategic partners collaborate with SIGMA.SPACE on education development, research projects, pilot environments, knowledge transfer and the broader applied use of artificial intelligence.