Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm such that client data are processed at the periphery of the network, as close as possible to the originating source. Since the 21st century has come to be known as the century of data due to the rapid increase in the quantity of exchanged data worldwide (especially in smart city applications such as autonomous vehicles), collecting and processing such data from sensors and Internet of Things devices operating in real time from remote locations and inhospitable operating environments almost anywhere in the world is a relevant emerging need. Indeed, edge computing is reshaping information technology and business computing. In this respect, the paper is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of what edge computing is as well as the most relevant edge use cases, tradeoffs, and implementation considerations. In particular, this review article is focused on highlighting (i) the most recent trends relative to edge computing emerging in the research field and (ii) the main businesses that are taking operations at the edge as well as the most used edge computing platforms (both proprietary and open source). First, the paper summarizes the concept of edge computing and compares it with cloud computing. After that, we discuss the challenges of optimal server placement, data security in edge networks, hybrid edge-cloud computing, simulation platforms for edge computing, and state-of-the-art improved edge networks. Finally, we explain the edge computing applications to 5G/6G networks and industrial internet of things. Several studies review a set of attractive edge features, system architectures, and edge application platforms that impact different industry sectors. The experimental results achieved in the cited works are reported in order to prove how edge computing improves the efficiency of Internet of Things networks. On the other hand, the work highlights possible vulnerabilities and open issues emerging in the context of edge computing architectures, thus proposing future directions to be investigated.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced unprecedented opportunities and challenges, necessitating a robust ethical and regulatory framework to guide its development. This study reviews key ethical concerns such as algorithmic bias, transparency, accountability, and the tension between automation and human oversight. It discusses the concept of algor-ethics—a framework for embedding ethical considerations throughout the AI lifecycle—as an antidote to algocracy, where power is concentrated in those who control data and algorithms. The study also examines AI’s transformative potential in diverse sectors, including healthcare, Insurtech, environmental sustainability, and space exploration, underscoring the need for ethical alignment. Ultimately, it advocates for a global, transdisciplinary approach to AI governance that integrates legal, ethical, and technical perspectives, ensuring AI serves humanity while upholding democratic values and social justice. In the second part of the paper, the author offers a synoptic view of AI governance across six major jurisdictions—the United States, China, the European Union, Japan, Canada, and Brazil—highlighting their distinct regulatory approaches. While the EU’s AI Act as well as Japan’s and Canada’s frameworks prioritize fundamental rights and risk-based regulation, the US’s strategy leans towards fostering innovation with executive directives and sector-specific oversight. In contrast, China’s framework integrates AI governance with state-driven ideological imperatives, enforcing compliance with socialist core values, whereas Brazil’s framework is still lacking the institutional depth of the more mature ones mentioned above, despite its commitment to fairness and democratic oversight. Eventually, strategic and governance considerations that should help chief data/AI officers and AI managers are provided in order to successfully leverage the transformative potential of AI for value creation purposes, also in view of the emerging international standards in terms of AI.

In the last two decades, we have witnessed an immense increase in the use of multimedia content on the internet, for multiple applications ranging from the most innocuous to very critical ones. Naturally, this emergence has given rise to many types of threats posed when this content can be manipulated/used for malicious purposes. For example, fake media can be used to drive personal opinions, ruining the image of a public figure, or for criminal activities such as terrorist propaganda and cyberbullying. The research community has of course moved to counter attack these threats by designing manipulation-detection systems based on a variety of techniques, such as signal processing, statistics, and machine learning. This research and practice activity has given rise to the field of multimedia forensics. The success of deep learning in the last decade has led to its use in multimedia forensics as well. In this survey, we look at the latest trends and deep-learning-based techniques introduced to solve three main questions investigated in the field of multimedia forensics. We begin by examining the manipulations of images and videos produced with editing tools, reporting the deep-learning approaches adopted to counter these attacks. Next, we move on to the issue of the source camera model and device identification, as well as the more recent problem of monitoring image and video sharing on social media. Finally, we look at the most recent challenge that has emerged in recent years: recognizing deepfakes, which we use to describe any content generated using artificial-intelligence techniques; we present the methods that have been introduced to show the existence of traces left in deepfake content and to detect them. For each problem, we also report the most popular metrics and datasets used today.

The aim of this paper is to report on the state of the art of the literature on the most recent challenges in the energy domain that can be addressed through the use of quantum computing technology. More in detail, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the scope of the literature review considered in this paper is specifically limited to forecasting, grid management (namely, scheduling, dispatching, stability, and reliability), battery production, solar cell production, green hydrogen and ammonia production, and carbon capture. These challenges have been identified as the most relevant business needs currently expressed by energy companies on their path towards a net-zero economy. A critical discussion of the most relevant methodological approaches and experimental setups is provided, together with an overview of future research directions. Overall, the key finding of the paper, based on the proposed literature review, is twofold: namely, (1) quantum computing has the potential to trigger significant transformation in the energy domain by drastically reducing CO₂ emissions, especially those relative to battery production, solar cell production, green hydrogen and ammonia production, as well as point-source and direct-air carbon capture technology; and (2) quantum computing offers enhanced optimization capability relative to relevant challenges that concern forecasting solar and wind resources, as well as managing power demand, facility allocation, and ensuring reliability and stability in power grids.