The AI Tour: a new model for a digital Italy
The AI Tour is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Italy. As we go through the fourth industrial revolution, AI is becoming one of the most transformative technologies in the digital environment, as well as having the greatest potential for development.
In this context, the tour, organised by Microsoft, provides a key moment for the Italian business scene, a sort of innovation roadshow, designed to place the power of generative AI and smart agents at the heart of the nation’s economy, the civil service and the education system.
So what does all this really mean for Italy? What future challenges and opportunities are in store? How will companies, institutions and citizens be able to benefit? Let’s find out!
A strategic investment of 4.3 billion euros for Italy’s future
One of the most important announcements made during the AI Tour is undoubtedly the maxi-investment of 4.3 billion euros which Microsoft has promised to allocate to Italy over the next two years. This capital is not only a huge boost for Italian infrastructure, but also a clear declaration of intent, cementing Italy’s role as a strategic innovation hub for the entire Meditteranean region.
The expansion of what is called Cloud Region Italy North will become the beating heart of this strategy and the region (which already exists) will be gradually upgraded thanks to new hyperscale data centres, dedicated to supporting both cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads.
The principal objective is to provide a solid, scalable technological base, on which Italian companies can develop modern solutions, at the same time ensuring data sovereignty as well as compliance with European regulations on privacy and IT security.
AI’s new frontiers: Copilot Studio and smart agents
At the centre of the AI Tour is software innovation, especially that connected with the Copilot concept. Microsoft has developed a new model of interaction between humans and machines, in which users are no longer limited to receiving answers from a virtual assistant, but actively collaborate with a digital co-pilot.
Copilot Studio is the tool that enables the creation of Copilot Agents, which act as smart entities, capable of:
- carrying out complex tasks;
- managing company processes;
- supporting strategic decisions;
- and automising repetitive procedures.
The latest news? It is possible to create these agents using natural language, thereby making them much more accessible even to users without advanced technical skills. In sectors like healthcare, finance or the civil service, these agents can make a real difference, improving service efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Real life applications: how Italian companies are embracing AI
During the tour, several case studies of Italian companies who have successfully introduced the use of generative AI were presented. They include:
Campari Group: adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to increase workforce productivity, achieving a significant reduction in the amount of time spent on administrative tasks;
Ferrero: created an interactive platform called ‘Let’s Story’, designed to create personalised fairytales using generative AI, combining storytelling, education and marketing;
Brembo: used the platform ALCHEMIX (based on Azure OpenAI), to begin process of innovation in the planning and testing of certain delay-causing systems, thereby reducing development times;
iGenius: an Italian startup who have introduced Crystal (a digital intelligence platform) in the Microsoft marketplace, facilitating the adoption of AI in regulated sectors.
The Italian civil service has also made progress with Roma Capitale, featuring ‘Julia’, a digital assistant able to supply tourist and organisational information to residents and visitors, and with the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, which has designed an AI platform to accelerate customised medical research.
The AI Tour and training: a million Italians to become digitally literate
Considering this technology requires a society which is ready to embrace and exploit it, Microsoft has announced an ambitious plan to train over a million people in Italy by the end of 2025. The project includes free courses, practical workshops and partnerships with universities, schools and training centres.
The aim is not only to bridge the digital divide, but also to prepare small and medium enterprises (SME’s) and practitioners so that they gain the appropriate skills to face a changing labour market, increasingly influenced by automation and artificial intelligence.
Impact on Italian GDP: forecast growth of up to 312 billion
A study carried out in collaboration with the TEHA Group estimated the macroeconomic impact of the widespread introduction of generative AI across Italy. According to the report, if the use of AI was adopted on a large scale, Italian GDP could grow by up to 312 billion euros in the next 15 years, representing an increase of 18.2%.
SME’s, who are the backbone of the Italian economy, would have a potential increase in market value of around 122 billion. Furthermore, 47% of companies who already use generative AI, have recorded productivity increases of over 5%, with peaks exceeding 10% in industrial and creative sectors.
Challenges and ethical responsabilities
Nevertheless, the largescale introduction of AI brings certain responsabilities. Concerns have emerged relating to the transparency of algorithms, whether privacy is respected, the risk of bias and the potential impact on employment in sectors where further automation is likely. Microsoft has emphasised the need for a responsable use of this technology, as well as the importance of well-coordinated collaboration between regulatory bodies, universities and international organisations, in order to define common ethical standards.
The AI Tour is not only a promotional event, but also the symbol of momentous change. With its rich industrial and creative background, Italy has all the necessary characteristics to play a leading role on the new digital global scene. However, a shared vision is needed, able to unite public and private sectors, through appropriate training and innovation, infrastructures and skills. The underlying message is clear: artificial intelligence is not the future, it is the present. Italy’s success will depend to a large extent on its ability to adopt this technology responsibly and strategically, on a large scale.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
