Milan Polytechnic University is dedicating today to exploring how artificial intelligence can serve as a strategic engine for Italy’s technological advancement. Businesses and institutions are convening at the Bovisa Campus for the event ‘The Fair Ecosystem: AI Between Research and Enterprise’, organized by Fair. This non-profit fund, backed by 25 founding partners (including 14 universities, 4 research bodies, and 7 companies) and utilizing Pnrr funds, drives AI research.
The summit aims to showcase the real-world impact of projects developed within Italy’s largest dedicated AI ecosystem, which now involves 53 universities/research bodies and 83 companies. It will highlight 76 companies awarded funding through Fair’s “cascade calls” – a mechanism financing joint projects between public research entities within the Foundation and private firms to stimulate collaboration.
Proceedings opened with institutional greetings and an introduction by Giuseppe De Pietro, President of the Fair Foundation. Marta Rapallini, Fair’s Program Manager, then provided an overview of the ecosystem and synergies developed among universities, research centers, and businesses.
The ‘AI Between Research and Enterprise’ session followed, featuring presentations by four companies detailing their winning cascade call projects. After lunch, 15 additional winning companies showcased their initiatives.
The afternoon culminates in a live talk show streamed on ANSA.it. Moderated by Alessio Jacona (ANSA AI Observatory), the discussion features academic, industrial, and institutional guests debating the future of AI in Italy.