Case Summary:     

We are proud to share the EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) petition success of a postdoctoral scholar from Italy whose work in computer science is redefining how we understand safety and decision-making in machine learning and artificial intelligence systems. With our guidance, this client’s I-140 was approved just 19 days after filing under premium processing.

A Leader in Safe and Verifiable AI

The client’s work focuses on machine learning and reinforcement learning (RL), particularly as applied to the verification, safety, and reliability of AI systems. His contributions sit at the intersection of algorithm design, robotics, and formal verification, pushing the boundaries of what AI can do while ensuring it aligns with safety-critical expectations.

Through novel methods to detect unsafe inputs, reinforce safe robotic behavior, and analyze deep neural networks in high-stakes environments, the client has brought forward tools and theoretical insights that are actively used by scholars and practitioners around the world.

Strong Record of Recognition

Our petition demonstrated that the client had met the required EB1A evidentiary criteria by showcasing:

• 20 peer-reviewed conference publications, with a substantial portion published in high-ranking venues such as the International Conference on Learning Representations and the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.
• 465 citations, reflecting broad adoption of his work across at least 29 countries.
• 18 confirmed instances of peer reviewing, including for the prestigious AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.
• An h-index of 12, placing the client in the top 3% of all authors in computer science, and in the top 1% of robotics researchers
• At least 9 papers were identified among the most cited in his publication years, proving sustained academic relevance.

In addition, the client has organized a leading research workshop in causal reinforcement learning at a major international conference, further solidifying his standing in the field.

A Research Portfolio That Drives Global Innovation

One of the client’s key areas of impact is the development of secure reinforcement learning algorithms. These systems ensure AI agents make ethical and safe decisions in real-time, supporting safer deployment in fields like autonomous navigation and medical robotics.

In another stream of research, the client’s formal verification tools—used to evaluate deep neural networks for failures and safety breaches—have become foundational references in scholarly literature. These tools have been applied in critical domains including surgical robotics, autonomous systems, and intelligent control systems.

Expert Endorsements That Echo Global Trust

The petition included letters from four renowned experts based in Europe and North America. These were independent advisors unaffiliated with the client, lending exceptional credibility. One recommender summarized the client’s contributions by writing:

“[Client’s] advancements go beyond academic value—they directly inform practices in real-world deployments of machine learning systems that need to operate reliably in high-stakes conditions.”

This statement captures how the client’s research is not only significant but also transformative.

Approval That Recognizes Exceptional Promise

The final merits analysis of our petition established that the client had risen to the top echelon of his field and gained international recognition. The USCIS approved the case within three weeks of filing. The client’s career continues in a postdoctoral position in the U.S., where his research contributes directly to advancing national goals in AI safety and autonomous systems.

We at NAILG (North America Immigration Law Group) are honored to have helped this extraordinary individual secure EB1A classification. His work is a testament to how theoretical rigor and practical relevance can unite to shape the future of technology and public safety in the United States.