In this #ISSNAFStory, Professor Francesco Borrelli (UC Berkeley), recipient of the 2025 ISSNAF TEF Innovator Award for STEM Entrepreneurs in Robotics, explores how predictive control enables autonomous systems to act intelligently by anticipating the future. He reflects on the impact of AI on his field, his experience bridging academia and industry, and the importance of pursuing passion in scientific careers.

The 2025 ISSNAF Year in Review highlights a year of significant growth, strategic engagement, and impactful contributions to the scientific and academic collaboration between Italy and North America.

Dr. Francesco Borrelli , Chief AI and Robotics Officer at Nextracker, Inc., and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, has been named the recipient of the ISSNAF Innovator 2025 TEF Award for STEM Entrepreneur in the field of Robotics . This recognition, presented in partnership with the Tech European Foundation (TEF) , marks the launch of a new award program celebrating Italian innovation and entrepreneurship across North America. The