On Wednesday 2 July, I-Com hosted a Policy Breakfast, in collaboration with Microsoft, focusing on the impact of the AI on European and Italian economy.
The discussion addressed several aspects of AI such as the future EU Strategies, the level of uptake in the industrial production, the deployment of public investement and attractivity of venture capital, the status of the regulation and its enforcement.
The event featured a keynote speech by Malgorzata Nikowska, Head of Unit, AI Innovation and Policy Coordination at DG CONNECT of the European Commission, followed by an active discussion engaged by the MEP Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Alberto La Bella, First Counsellor on Transport and Telecommunication at the Perm Rep of Italy, and
Vasco Pereira da Silva, Head of Policy, Allied for Startups.
Initially, Jeremy Rollison, Head of Policy at Microsoft, delivered his opening remarks followed by Stefano da Empoli, I-Com’s President, who presented the Institute’s study produced for this session.
The latter thoroughly explores the Italian AI Technology Stack, the level of investment and adoption, as well as its sustainability impact. Remarkably, Italy stands out globally for the number of supercomputers (14) an in terms of computing power thanks to the Leonardo supercomputer and the Bologna tecnopolo. At the same time, the cloud computing records are highly satisfactory both in terms of adoption and market value. However, the percentage of Italian firms using at least one AI related technology is still very low, compared to EU mean (8,2 % – 13,48 %) – registering the fourth from last figure within the 27 MS.
Then, Ms Malgorzata Nikowska provided a 360-outline of current AI status in EU, specifically addressing the AI Continent Action Plan and the Apply AI Strategy. She reassured the Commission’s commitment to favour an open dialogue with stakeholders and companies, as well as the importance of guaranteeing fully implementation of the regulation produced, such as the AI Act, before talking about simplification.
In particular, on this latter topic, participants agreed that many European SMEs have expressed their full commitment to comply with the AI Act, considered as an effective legal tool for leveling the playing field with big competitors.
Finally the discussants took the floor. MEP Stefano Cavedagna brought to the table the recent mission carried out by the IMCO Committee to Bologna, taken as a virtous example of italian and European technological and innovative advancement. On the other hand, Cons. La Bella stressed the necessity to attract more venture capital in Europe for financing AI projects, while Mr Vasco Pereira da Silva underlined the foundational role of startups and small companies in driving innovation and AI development, the urgent need to strengthen and unify Europe’s innovation ecosystem, and the importance of promoting a regulatory framework that supports—rather than hinders—technological progress
Thanks to all participants for attending and the engaging Q&A that followed!
