Turin, Italy – The first Ai4Industry forum convened today at the OGR in Turin, bringing together key players from Italian industry, government, and research to address the critical issue of expanding access to artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event underscored a national push to integrate AI into the industrial landscape, fostering innovation and economic growth.
The forum, a collaborative effort between local foundations, the national government, the Piedmont Region, and the City of Turin, highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach to AI adoption. Discussions centered on the challenges and opportunities facing Italian businesses as they navigate the evolving technological landscape. The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI4I) played a central role, presenting its strategic plan for the coming years.
The opening session featured remarks from Fabio Pammolli, President of the Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence, and Anna Maria Poggi, President of the CRT Foundation. High-level participation included Italian Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso and Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, both appearing via video link, along with Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alessio Butti, Turin Deputy Mayor Michelle Favaro, and Piedmont Region President Alberto Cirio.
Representatives from leading Italian companies – including Leonardo, ENI, Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, EssilorLuxottica, Fastweb+Vodafone, Fincantieri, Almawave, Duferco Energia, and BV TECH – were in attendance, alongside representatives from industry associations like Assolombarda. Academic leaders from the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Turin, and the University of Eastern Piedmont likewise participated, as did representatives from key research institutions such as the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and CINECA.
AI4I Unveils Strategic Plan for 2026-2030
A key moment of the forum was the public presentation of AI4I’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2030. President Fabio Pammolli, along with Scientific Committee President Marco Pavone and Director Antonio E. Calegari, outlined the institute’s priorities in research, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and services for businesses. The plan signals a commitment to operationalizing AI4I’s mission and attracting top talent. According to AI4I, the institute is focused on building a “marketplace” for SMEs and has completed the setup of its High Performance Computing (HPC) and AI Foundry, named Peano, designed to bridge the gap between research and industrial application.
Discussions throughout the day explored the impact of AI on organizational models, data management, computing infrastructure, and the skills needed for industrial transformation. Participants emphasized the need for AI to be viewed not just as a technological issue, but as a matter of national industrial policy.
“‘Officine d’Intelligenza’ brings together institutions, the scientific community, and the production system around a project: to build a continuous chain that leads from research to engineering and the industrial application of new artificial intelligence technologies,” Pammolli stated at the close of the forum. He added that AI4I is attracting young scientists from leading research centers in the United States, Europe, and Israel to staff its research, development, and engineering labs.
Collaboration and Ecosystem Building are Key
Anna Maria Poggi, President of the CRT Foundation, emphasized the role of the OGR Torino as a strategic hub for collaboration. “Officine d’Intelligenza is further confirmation of how the OGR Torino today represents a strategic hub for discussion, a space where institutions, research and businesses dialogue and collaborate to guide choices,” she said. Poggi highlighted the importance of creating an ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, human capital, innovation, and skills to support the industrial sector. She also stressed the need to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few.
The event concluded with a lecture-performance titled “L’Incompiuta,” moderated by Vittorio Di Tomaso, Managing Director Data & AI of Jakala, featuring Pierpaolo Peretti Griva, co-founder of Motel Connection, and RAI Orchestra violinist Matteo Ruffo. The performance explored the relationship between musical creativity and algorithmic generation, prompting reflection on the role of human labor in an increasingly automated world.
The Ai4Industry forum signals a growing momentum behind Italy’s efforts to harness the power of artificial intelligence for industrial advancement. The focus on SME access, coupled with AI4I’s strategic plan and the collaborative spirit demonstrated at the event, suggests a concerted effort to position Italy as a leader in the AI-driven economy. The next phase will involve translating these discussions into concrete initiatives and measurable results, particularly in supporting the adoption of AI technologies by Italian businesses.
Further developments regarding AI4I’s initiatives and the implementation of the 2026-2030 strategic plan are expected in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on how these efforts will shape the future of Italian industry.
Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice.
