INNS at VIPERC 2025

 

The 4th International Conference on Visual Pattern Extraction and Recognition for Cultural Heritage Understanding (VIPERC 2025) was held at the University Gabriele d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Campus of Pescara, on 3-4 December 2025. The event, organized by the INGEO Department of the University Gabriele d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara and the Department of Information Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Marche, was technically co-sponsored by the International Neural Network Society (INNS), reflecting the Society’s commitment to advancing international neural network research across interdisciplinary domains.


Over two days, VIPERC 2025 gathered researchers, practitioners, and young scholars to discuss how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks can transform the preservation, analysis, and accessibility of cultural heritage. The conference program combined invited talks, thematic sessions, and a special track on emerging technologies, offering a comprehensive view of current advances and future directions.


The conference featured several distinguished invited speakers who highlighted the role of neural networks in sustainable and innovative heritage applications.

  • Prof. Francesco Carlo Morabito (University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, INNS President) presented the outcomes of the FAIR NAEL project, focusing on green and energy-efficient AI solutions for pattern recognition.
  • Prof. Valentino Sangiorgio and Eng. Naomi Di Marco (University G. d’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara) introduced the MUD-MADE project, showcasing multi-objective optimization of digitally manufactured earth building components supported by neural networks.
  • Prof. Massimiliano Pepe (University G. d’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara) discussed the LIP3D project, emphasizing digital tools and immersive technologies for the virtual reconstruction of archaeological heritage.


The program was structured into thematic sessions that reflected the breadth of research in this field. Topics ranged from AI and data science for cultural heritage and acoustics and soundscape preservation, to smart diagnostics and pattern recognition, 3D reconstruction and simulation, and a special session on emerging technologies for history and memory. Presentations showcased applications such as digital twins for multi-risk analysis, UAV photogrammetry and lidar-based surveying, acoustic heritage mapping, and GPT-based approaches to historical archives.


VIPERC 2025 demonstrated how neural networks and AI are reshaping cultural heritage research, from diagnostics and reconstruction to immersive technologies and sustainable materials. By bridging computer science, engineering, and the humanities, the conference reaffirmed the mission of the INNS to support innovation across disciplines.


The success of VIPERC 2025 in Pescara highlights the growing importance of neural networks in cultural heritage, setting the stage for future collaborations and breakthroughs in this dynamic field.