AI and Competitiveness: Italy Cannot Stand By and Watch

Artificial intelligence and the country's future: skills, leadership, and inclusion at the center of the discussion on March 10

Artificial intelligence is not just an emerging technology: it is a factor that is redefining economic models, work organization, skills, and leadership. In this historical moment, the question is not only how much to invest, but who participates in building this new scenario and with what vision.

On March 10, live on the social channels of DKTS and Women&Tech® ETS, there will be a discussion inspired by the article “AI and Competitiveness: Italy Cannot Stand By” and expanding on it, focusing on the theme of people and skills.

The discussion will feature Ernesto Damiani, Stefano A. Cerri, and Silvia Migliavacca, moderated by Gianna Martinengo. The conversation will combine scientific, industrial, and cultural perspectives, aiming to understand the conditions necessary for Italy to build a credible presence in the European AI ecosystem.

In a global context marked by billion-dollar investments and increasingly intense competition, the true strength of our country cannot be financial scale, but human capital. In recent years, thousands of young researchers and highly qualified professionals have been trained: the challenge is to create the conditions to enhance, retain, and structurally integrate them into the production system.

For Women&Tech, this step is crucial also from another perspective. Artificial intelligence is not neutral: it reflects the data, choices, and priorities of those who design and govern it. For this reason, it is essential that women and men participate in a balanced way in the development of skills, research, governance, and strategic decisions that will guide technological development.

AI can become a tool for inclusive growth, capable of enabling new models of innovation in cultural heritage, healthcare, tourism, agri-food, and advanced services. But for this to happen, an ecosystem is needed that connects universities, businesses, and schools, and that spreads transversal skills from the earliest educational levels.

The meeting on March 10 will not be a technical debate reserved for industry insiders, but a moment of collective reflection on how to build a digital future that combines competitiveness, responsibility, and inclusion.

AI is a global challenge. The response can be European. But it must also be deeply cultural.