PRESS NOTE

THE UNIVERSITY OF GENOA AWARDS STEFANO BARRESE

AN HONORARY DEGREE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Genoa, 16 September 2026 – Today, the University of Genoa awarded an  honorary degree in Computer Engineering to Stefano Barrese, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo's Banca dei Territori Division.

The ceremony featured institutional addresses by the Rector, Professor Federico Delfino, the Dean of the Polytechnic School, Professor Patrizia Perego, and the Head of the Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), Professor Sergio Martinoia. The tribute speech for the graduate was delivered by Davide Anguita, Professor of Information Processing Systems.

The Head of Intesa Sanpaolo's Banca dei Territori Division gave a lectio magistralis entitled: “Technology in banking and its relationship with people: yesterday, today and tomorrow”, dedicated to the evolution of the relationship between technological innovation and the human dimension in the banking sector. During his lecture, Stefano Barrese emphasised the central role of human creativity in professional work and in the governance of artificial intelligence, as well as the importance of technology as a tool that serves people.

Some excerpts from the lecture:

• “Technology must not erode the human dimension, but rather enhance it by creating shared prosperity for the benefit of communities and social, industrial and cultural territories”.
• “Digitalisation has radically changed the way customers interact with the bank. But the value perceived by customers – the reason why they remain loyal to one institution rather than another – is still, to a large extent, determined by the quality of human relationships. By trust. From the feeling of being understood in one's life plans, which involve financial needs, and not just being served”.
• “How can I help you? This is the question that a good banker asks their client. This is the question a good engineer asks when designing a system. This is the question we must continue to ask, every day, as technology develops around us”.

Stefano Barrese, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo's Banca dei Territori Division: “I would like to thank the Rector, the faculty and the entire academic community for this prestigious award, which I accept with great emotion and with a commitment to continue promoting an ever-closer dialogue between universities, business and innovation. In an era marked by extraordinary technological transformations, I am convinced that the most important challenge is not only to develop increasingly advanced tools, but to put them at the service of everyone in a sustainable and inclusive way. Technology and artificial intelligence must expand our capabilities, but a sense of individual responsibility, personal critical thinking and the ability to understand the needs that only the intervention of a qualified person can offer in a relationship remain essential”.

Press information

 

Intesa Sanpaolo

Media Banca dei Territori e Media locali

stampa@intesasanpaolo.com

Intesa Sanpaolo, with over €1,500 billion in customer financial assets and almost €440 billion in loans at the end of June 2026, is the largest banking group in Italy with a significant international presence. Intesa Sanpaolo t is a European leader in Wealth Management and operates through an integrated Wealth Management, Protection and Advisory platform, built on fully controlled product factories and distribution networks managed under full strategic control. Through its International Banks Division, it operates through subsidiaries engaged in commercial banking activities in 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and in Egypt. Through its IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, it is present in 23 countries, supporting the cross-border activities of its clients. Intesa Sanpaolo ranks among the global leaders for social impact and reaffirms its commitment to decarbonisation and supporting clients in the sustainable transition. The Bank's museum network, the Gallerie d'Italia, is an exhibition venue for the Bank's own artistic heritage and cultural projects of recognised value. News: group.intesasanpaolo.com/it/newsroom   X: @intesasanpaolo Substack: https://newsfulcontent.substack.com/