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A study of the cognitive processes behind our choices: Emma Borgonovo presents her work on the Drift Diffusion Model at the Research and Arts Exposition 2025

Emma Borgonovo, a graduate student at Bocconi University's Bachelor of Science in Economic and Social Sciences (BESS) program, was selected by Northwestern University's Office of Undergraduate Research to present her project “Understanding Human Decision Making: From Behavioral Economics to Artificial Intelligence” at the Undergraduate Research and Arts Exposition in Evanston, held in May 2025.

The research, based on her dissertation conducted under the supervision of Massimo Marinacci, explores the Drift Diffusion Model (DDM), a mathematical tool used to describe human decision-making processes. The paper, enriched with insights from the course “Thinking Machines: History and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence” taken by Emma during her exchange program at Northwestern, explores the connections between neuroscience, economics and artificial intelligence.

“I am deeply grateful to the Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Research for this opportunity, to my dissertation advisor, Professor Massimo Marinacci, for his valuable guidance, and to Professor Lindquist for the insights shared in his lectures on the history and ethics of Artificial Intelligence,” said Emma Borgonovo.

In her work, Emma analyzed the mathematical structure of DDM, which combines stochastic computation and decision theory, by performing numerical experiments and proposing variants of the model that can capture how novel information is processed. He also explored advanced applications of DDM in medicine, economics and AI, outlining a new line of research about using the model to study bank run risks.

In addition to academic recognition, Emma was honored for two of her original piano compositions, “Song of Hope” and “Ali d’amore”, which were selected for the Creative Arts Festival and presented with videos of her original photographs at the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts.

Emma will graduate in July and continue her studies with a Master of Science in Economy and Society at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

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