TO Sometimes, the change comes with the most unexpected face. Enrica Porcariborn in 1967, Italian, a degree in sociology and a soul as a tireless traveler, He has been appointed CERN Chief Information OfficertheEuropean Organization for Nuclear Research. It is the first woman to play this role And it will do so starting from January 2026, in a symbolic passage of witness who The end of Fabiola Gianotti’s mandate follows And coincides with the entry to the general direction of Mark Thomson.
Enrica Porcari, the humanist who will guide the digital revolution of CERN
In this new structure, Porcari will play a key role: Take the technological direction of the organization in decisive areas such as IT security, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, data protection. And he will do it as outsider, with a different look, which has always been his strength. It does not come from the world of engineering or from that of physics. It comes from a completely different universe: that of international cooperation, social innovation, computer systems put at the service of vulnerable community, in the most fragile places on the earth. Nevertheless, She will lead the digital strategy of one of the most advanced and symbolic research centers of the planet.
A humanist in a world of physicists
Those who imagine it extraneous to the context, make mistakes. To CERN, Enrica Porcari has been working there for four years, driving the IT department. He has managed an infrastructure that elaborates over a Petabyte of data every day, selects them and distributes them to more than 160 institutes in over 40 countries. A gigantic car, born to decipher the mysteries of the universe. But for Porcari, the real challenge has never been only technique: it is cultural. Accustomed to navigating between different worlds, he made the connection, including people, knowledge, technologies, his signature. Does not teach physicists how to do their job, but he invites them to ask themselves why they do it. His strength is not to know all the codes, but in knowing how to decipher them from a human point of view.
After thirty years between emergencies and social innovation, Enrica Porcari enters the leaders of Cern. Will guide strategies on AI, cybersiculia and data (CERN)
A career between crises and global networks
Before CERN, Porcari crossed the world. Has held apical roles in the FAOin the world food program, in the United Nations system for agricultural development and international cooperation. From Afghanistan to Sahel, has brought digital technologies to conflict and climatic crisis areasdesigning information systems to support local communities, in particular women. His professional trajectory has never been linear: every five years he has changed course, driven by curiosity and the desire to build bridges between different universes. Has studied finance, technology, digital culturehe was a fellow in Stanford, and learned to be hinted between what he knew and what he still had to learn.
The future of CERN? Human and connected
From January 2026, therefore, Porcari will officially enter the new role and will bring, above all, a new vision that considers technology not only as an instrument of efficiency, but also as an ethical question. In a world where automation grows and artificial intelligence spreads in every areaPorcari insists on the importance of maintaining a human garrison on technology. He believes in the value of doubt, in comparison, in collective responsibility. AND in a model of innovation that is not just performing, but also shared, open, non -militarized.
Enrica Porcari at CERN, not an exception, but a signal
There Appointment of Enrica Porcaribeyond the gearbox at the top, could be the sign of a deeper transition: the one in which humanistic skills return to count in the places where the future is designed. His path shows that shortcuts are not needed, nor “pink” roles to make a difference. We need vision, discipline and the courage to change course. She, of routes, has already changed many, moreover, and to CERN, will now guide a new type of transformation, not only digital, but deeply human.
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