The talk ‘In the Front Row: There’s Connected Economy’ presented, on Friday, June 23, the snapshot of the relationship between SMEs and artificial intelligence, as documented by the Polytechnic University of the Marche (Univpm). With Paolo Crepet, Matteo Colaninno, and Undersecretary of the Economy Lucia Albano.
“The event on corporate innovation, organized by Tai Think About It for its second edition, has chosen – explains Filippo Barbetta (Tai) – to showcase the first comprehensive snapshot of the relationship between SMEs and AI. The talk, conducted by the Deputy Director of TgLa7, Andrea Pancani, brought together Italian CEOs and company executives on Friday, June 23, from 4 pm at the Conference Hall of Garofoli in Castelfidardo. At the center of the discussion, involving managers, intellectuals, and economists, was the presentation of the study on business and AI conducted by the Polytechnic University of the Marche.”
“The study – continues Barbetta – presented by Prof. Luca Marinelli (Univpm) reveals that one-third of the surveyed companies (35%) have initiated an artificial intelligence project or plan to invest in AI within the year. 10% believe that this innovation will bring disruptive changes. 80% believe it will have an impact on production. The main areas of application include preventive maintenance, product quality control, and simulations (digital twins, 3-D modeling). The emergence of Chat GPT has generated enormous interest in AI, especially generative AI. However, according to the interviewees, companies’ knowledge and awareness of the actual application fields are still rather limited.
“We must save real intelligence – intervened Paolo Crepet – and not surrender to the seduction of believing that intelligence is convenience. It is precisely the opposite. Life teaches us that intelligence is a risk. Not an algorithm. The algorithm must provide me with sustenance, but thought must provide me with imagination, creation, and hope.”
According to Matteo Colaninno (Executive Vice President of the Piaggio Group), there is a need for “a balanced vision, a clear framework of rules on one hand, and the possibility of having a higher level management of information and data to navigate this era. There are 24 billion in the Pnrr dedicated to this.”
“Artificial intelligence has also become part of political activity – commented Undersecretary of Economy and Finance Lucia Albano – AI tools are also included in the fiscal delegation law currently under examination by Parliament to combat tax evasion. However, as emphasized by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, it is advisable to address the matter at both the European and international levels. This will be one of the topics discussed during the upcoming G7 summit in Puglia.”