Lumina · Edition IA non-profit initiative by students, for studentsA.Y. 2026 / 2027
N. 01 — Manifesto

Students
exploring data
together with other students.

With Lumina you study Big Data without fear of its complexity.
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N. 02 — Why

LUMSA teaches,
we add practice,
peer to peer.

At LUMSA, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence are already in the classroom: the LM-77 master's programme and the university's courses give students solid foundations in data, algorithms and their implications. That training is our starting point, and we want to carry it beyond lecture hours: more time to experiment, more shared projects, more occasions for students to learn from one another.

This is why Lumina exists: a student-led, independent, non-profit initiative that works together with LUMSA to deepen what is learned in class. We take what the university teaches us and turn it into peer-run labs, real projects and critical discussions — giving back to the university students who are better prepared, more curious and more aware. Not an alternative to its courses, but a plus that naturally extends them.

Allies of the university
We value what LUMSA already teaches about AI and data, and extend it beyond lecture hours.
Practical
We turn course theory into real projects, built together by students.
Critical
Every technology is discussed for what it does and what it implies, with the rigour the university taught us.
N. 03 — Who we areStudents, not a company

Three students,
one shared idea.

Lumina started as an initiative by three LUMSA students from the LM-77 master's programme. We are not a company or a training provider: we are students who want to learn, and to do it alongside other students, peer to peer, working with our university to deepen what we study.

Want to help organise Lumina with us? Get in touch — we're students just like you.

Alberto Racca
Co-founder · LM-77 · LUMSA

Curious about data and models: he handles the technical side, from analytics tools to the first AI prototypes.

Giorgio Rubino
Co-founder · LM-77 · LUMSA

Drawn to the social impact of algorithms: he keeps the thread of ethics, responsibility and critical thinking.

Alessandro Certomà
Co-founder · LM-77 · LUMSA

Builds the community and the learning paths: he holds together people, events and the link with the university.

N. 04 — MissionStatement of intent

Grow as students by learning to understand, build and question the technologies that will shape our work — with scientific rigour, ethical attention and cultural care, peer to peer and in dialogue with our university.

01
Ethics

Recognising biases, social impacts and the responsibility of algorithmic choices before their performance metrics.

02
Criticality

Distinguishing what technology can truly do from what is attributed to it in public discourse.

03
Responsibility

Designing solutions that are useful to people, not just efficient with respect to aggregate metrics.

N. 05 — Programme

Twelve formats,
one direction.

Activities alternate throughout the academic year, complementing lectures, to combine theory, practice, ethical reflection and peer relationships. A living calendar, built together, not a catalogue.

  1. 01

    Practical workshops

    Intensive sessions on real tools, datasets and pipelines.

  2. 02

    Thematic seminars

    Deep dives into research, case studies and public debate.

  3. 03

    Hands-on labs

    Open spaces to build, fail and iterate together.

  4. 04

    Beginner study groups

    Fundamentals of statistics, data and models, starting from scratch together.

  5. 05

    Advanced study groups

    Modern architectures, LLMs, MLOps and data infrastructure.

  6. 06

    Follow-up sessions

    Continuous updates on emerging technologies.

  7. 07

    Peer mentorship

    Student-to-student support, with the help of professors and researchers.

  8. 08

    Company collaborations

    Projects on real problems, with real constraints.

  9. 09

    Networking

    Meetings, community and peer-to-peer exchange opportunities.

  10. 10

    Project challenges

    Timed challenges to apply what you've learned.

  11. 11

    Educational content

    Articles, videos and open repositories for self-study.

  12. 12

    AI Ethics

    Awareness-raising on bias, privacy, social and environmental impact.

N. 06 — MethodThree principles

An essential method, held together by three principles that are non-negotiable.

IPillar

Practice

Every theoretical concept is anchored to an exercise, a dataset, a project. You learn by building, deepening what you study in class.

IIPillar

Ethics

Every technology is studied for its consequences too: bias, privacy, work, environment, and the responsibility of choices.

IIIPillar

Community

Students, professors, researchers and external organisations dialogue in a horizontal network that grows alongside its own questions.

N. 07 — Impact

Four effects
we want to leave.

We measure Lumina not by the number of enrolled students, but by what those who take part manage to do, understand and demand — during the programme and in the years that follow.

01Effect

Skills

Concrete, verifiable knowledge immediately applicable to theses, internships and first professional roles.

02Effect

Awareness

A critical stance towards what one builds and what one chooses not to build.

03Effect

Opportunities

A portfolio of projects and a network of contacts cultivated together during the path.

04Effect

Culture

A contribution to academic and public debate on how to use these technologies well.

N. 08 — Support

Building Lumina
together.

We are students looking for academic, institutional and professional organisations willing to support a grassroots initiative that complements and deepens LUMSA's training: those who share our approach — technical rigour, ethical sensitivity and trust in students learning from students.

Propose a collaboration
Slot 01
Universities and departments
Open
Slot 02
Research centres and groups
Open
Slot 03
Data and AI companies
Open
Slot 04
Third sector organisations
Open
Slot 05
Open source communities
Open
Slot 06
Cultural institutions
Open
N. 09 — NowInvitation

Lumina grows with those who choose to be part of it.

Students, professors, researchers, external organisations: there is a concrete way to contribute from the very first week.

Join the projectSupport the project
N. 10 — ContactWrite to us

Have a question, an idea or want to collaborate?