Born in Venezuela and now based in the United States, Professor Marta González teaches Urban and Regional Planning and Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on urban mobility as a key to understanding the interactions between individuals and built environments, addressing the dual digital and ecological transition.

Using unconventional data sources, such as smartphone mobility data, and leveraging an interdisciplinary approach that combines network science and artificial intelligence, González has developed innovative methods for studying and planning transportation infrastructure, urban service locations, electric and autonomous vehicle adoption, and strategies to make cities more livable, less polluted, and more resilient to extreme climate events.

González emphasizes that urban solutions often require a balance between information systems and human behavior analysis. This calls for new methods and models, including AI-driven ones, to adapt to the evolving data landscape.

Recognition for revolutionary research

“Marta C. González’s research has revolutionized approaches to complex problems in urban infrastructure and environmental sustainability. By combining network science and artificial intelligence, she transforms vast amounts of digital data into practical solutions with significant social impact, addressing challenges such as urban traffic management, electric vehicle integration, and wildfire prevention,” said Alessandro Vespignani, President of the ISI Foundation.

“The prestigious Lagrange Prize recognizes the global importance of her research, providing concrete tools to develop more effective policies and make cities more livable,” he added.

Fondazione CRT’s commitment to sustainability

“The Lagrange Prize – Fondazione CRT has always been a recognition of those who contribute to shaping an inclusive, fair, and safe future,” said Anna Maria Poggi, President of Fondazione CRT. “Professor González’s work demonstrates how data and artificial intelligence can be powerful allies in addressing contemporary challenges, positively impacting society and improving urban livability. The social value of this immense digital heritage has always been at the heart of Fondazione CRT and ISI Foundation’s efforts, synergized through the Lagrange project and the OGR Torino, increasingly a hub for ‘AI for good’ studies.”

Award ceremony on October 24

The Lagrange Prize – Fondazione CRT 2024 award ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 24, at 6:00 PM at OGR Torino (Corso Castelfidardo 22), Binario 3.

Following the ceremony, a discussion titled “Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” will feature:

• Marta C. González, Lagrange Prize winner,
• Prof. Fabio Pammoli, President of Fondazione AI4Industry,
• Prof. Fosca Giannotti, Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa and member of ISI Foundation’s Scientific Committee.

The conversation will be moderated by La Stampa journalist Bruno Ruffilli.
Registration is required to attend.

16 years of the Lagrange Prize

For 16 years, Fondazione CRT and ISI Foundation have honored researchers and scientists for their excellence in complexity studies. Economists, physicists, biologists, and epidemiologists of international standing have significantly advanced multidisciplinary collaboration and applied research for equitable and sustainable development.

Previous winners include:

• 2008: Yakov G. Sinai (mathematician, Russia) and William Brian Arthur (economist, UK)
• 2009: Giorgio Parisi (physicist, Italy)
• 2010: James J. Collins (bioengineer, USA)
• 2011: Albert-László Barabási (physicist, Hungary/USA)
• 2012: Lada Adamic (social networks expert, USA) and Xavier Gabaix (economist, France)
• 2013: Duncan J. Watts (sociologist, Australia)
• 2014: Mark Newman (physicist, UK)
• 2015: Panos Ipeirotis (computer scientist, Greece) and Jure Leskovec (computer scientist, Slovenia)
• 2016: John Brownstein (epidemiologist, Canada)
• 2017: Danielle S. Bassett (physicist and neuroscientist, USA)
• 2018: César Hidalgo (physicist, Chile/USA)
• 2019: Iain D. Couzin (biologist, UK) and David Gruber (biologist and explorer, USA)
• 2023: Tina Eliassi-Rad (computer science professor, Northeastern University, USA)