A groundbreaking idea for a network of smart lockers, called “Therapy-Lockers”, designed to securely store and distribute oncological drugs in rural and underserved areas through AI-driven positioning, has won the AI-DEA Hackathon. This initiative was organized by IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori “Dino Amadori”, as part of the EU-funded TRUMPET and FLUTE projects, in collaboration with Liceo Fulcieri Paulucci di Calboli, and supported by the Municipality of Forlì, IOR, and VEM Sistemi.
The four students behind Therapy-Lockers – Melissa Lippi, Camilla Ravaioli, Fabio Corradossi, and Alessio Faccani – have won a study trip to Vigo, Spain, where they will visit Gradiant, a European leader in AI-driven healthcare solutions. There, they will present their idea and work alongside engineers and programmers to develop their project further.
Award Ceremony at Teatro Diego Fabbri
On Monday, February 10, the AI-DEA award ceremony took place at the Teatro Diego Fabbri in Forlì, with 100 participating students, their families, and school staff in attendance. Special guest Lorenzo Baglioni, a well-known singer-songwriter and YouTuber, inspired students with a talk on innovation, ambition, and the power of dreams. The evening also featured discussions with institutional representatives, who shared insights into the future of AI and healthcare.
Second and Third Place Teams
🥈 Second place – Project D.O.C. by Dan Li, Tommaso Bizzo, and Nicola Vitali: A smart AI-powered logistics system that optimizes the delivery of oncological drugs using real-time route calculations for maximum efficiency. The team won a mentorship program at VEM Sistemi.
🥉 Third place – Project AI-uto by Gaia Laghi, Sofia Vittoria Pusceddu, Paride Valvassori, and Riccardo Ravaioli: A hospital-based platform that personalizes medication collection and administration schedules based on patients’ logistical and economic challenges.
Voices from the Event
Nicola Normanno, Scientific Director of IRST IRCCS, emphasized the importance of engaging young people in innovation:
“Our mission is to serve patients through clinical and scientific innovation, but we also recognize the crucial role of young generations in shaping the future of healthcare. Through the TRUMPET and FLUTE projects, we are involving students in a bigger vision—where technology and AI drive progress for the common good. Thanks to the European Union and all the partners who made this initiative possible.”
Paola Casara, Forlì’s Councillor for Education and School Policies, highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“This initiative is a great example of how different stakeholders can work together to provide young people with opportunities to explore AI and healthcare. We strongly support efforts that promote gender equality in STEM and innovation for future generations.”
Fabrizio Miserocchi, Director of IOR, stressed the relevance of AI in modern healthcare:
“Artificial Intelligence is playing an increasingly central role in our lives, particularly in healthcare. We must ensure that younger generations are well-equipped to navigate and leverage these advancements. This initiative, in collaboration with IRST, offers a unique opportunity to engage students in real-world innovation.”
The AI-DEA Hackathon has been an invaluable educational experience, highlighting the potential of AI to tackle real-world healthcare challenges while fostering a new generation of innovators.
