Apulia Digital Experience 2026

The President and Founder of Women&Tech® ETS will participate in the international summit scheduled in Bari from December 11 to 13. The focus of the discussion will be the opportunities for women in the creative industries and the ethical responsibilities of technological innovation. Among the key participants is also Marco Accordi Rickards.

What opportunities does the video game industry offer to the new generations of women? And how can we ensure that the development of Artificial Intelligence is guided by ethical principles, inclusion, and responsibility?

These are two central issues for the future of digital society and will be at the heart of the interventions by Gianna Martinengo, President and Founder of Women&Tech® ETS, as part of Apulia Digital Experience (ADE) 2026, the international summit dedicated to the meeting between technology and cultural and creative industries, scheduled to take place in Bari from December 11 to 13.

Organized by Rai Com and Apulia Film Commission, with the support of the Apulia Region, the third edition of the event will bring together institutions, companies, professionals, researchers, and new talents to discuss the transformations introduced by digital innovation in the audiovisual, animation, gaming, and creativity sectors.

Gaming and inclusion: who can play, who can create?

Friday, December 11, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM, Gianna Martinengo will participate in the panel "Who can play, who can create: the challenges of gender inclusion in video games", moderated by Marco Accordi Rickards, a key figure in the Italian video game culture scene, who with Idra Editing is a member of Women&Tech® ETS.

The presence of both represents a particularly significant opportunity for the association, which sees some key members of its network engaged in a public discussion on topics closely related to its mission.

The video game industry today represents a complex ecosystem, where technological skills, creative abilities, narrative languages, and new professions converge.

But who really has access to the opportunities offered by this sector? What stereotypes and cultural barriers can still influence girls' educational and professional choices? And how can we promote an increasingly broad female participation, not only as users but also as developers, designers, creators, and protagonists of innovation?

These are questions closely linked to the mission of Women&Tech® ETS, which has been promoting the enhancement of female talent and the overcoming of gender stereotypes in scientific, technological, and professional paths for years.

Making innovation accessible also means expanding the possibilities to choose, create, and actively contribute to digital transformation.

Artificial Intelligence and Ethics: a Shared Responsibility

Saturday, December 12, from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM, Gianna Martinengo will take part in a second panel dedicated to the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and ethics, moderated by Vittorio Calaprice.

The spread of AI systems is profoundly transforming the way we work, learn, communicate, and produce content.

Alongside new opportunities, questions arise concerning the transparency of algorithms, the risk of reproducing discrimination and stereotypes, the representation of diversity, and the responsibility of technological choices.

For Women&Tech® ETS, these topics are part of a vision of innovation that recognizes the plurality of skills, experiences, and perspectives as an essential resource.

The issue concerns not only what Artificial Intelligence is capable of doing, but also who contributes to designing it, which values guide its development, and what consequences it produces on people and society.

More women in innovation, for a more inclusive digital future

Gianna Martinengo's participation in the Apulia Digital Experience and the involvement of Marco Accordi Rickards represent an additional opportunity to enhance the skills and relationships that drive the Women&Tech® ETS network.

A network that connects experiences, expertise, and different sectors, united by the commitment to promote female talent, encourage cross-disciplinary exchange, and contribute to an informed digital transformation.

From gaming to Artificial Intelligence, the common thread is the need to build an innovation ecosystem where opportunities are truly accessible and technologies are developed for the benefit of everyone.

Because the digital future depends not only on the speed of technological progress but also on our ability to make it more equitable, participatory, and responsible.

Apulia Digital Experience 2026

Bari, December 11–13, 2026

The titles and times of the panels are those communicated by the organizers and may be subject to updates.