Italy’s AI Push Highlights Workplace, Health and Sovereignty Challenges

A research study by the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini and the University of Padua found that 63% of managers still require a human‑in‑command for AI decisions, urging a new social pact to protect workers’ knowledge and ensure AI remains an assistive tool.

At the We Make Future 2026 festival in Bologna, Brunello Cucinelli warned that unchecked technology could “steal our soul,” calling for a humane approach to AI in both business and private life.

Nino Cartabellotta, president of the Fondazione Gimbe, highlighted the Italian National Health Service’s difficulty in keeping pace with rapid digital innovation, stressing the need for digital literacy and regulatory reforms to avoid widening access inequalities.

Tech entrepreneurs are responding with home‑grown solutions: BlackBridge aims to launch a peer‑to‑peer Italian AI model to reduce reliance on foreign cloud platforms, while the European Innovation Council Board urges deeper investment in European deep‑tech to strengthen energy security.

Cybersecurity is also on the agenda. Experts propose making “cyber‑resilience” a key performance indicator, focusing on identity security as the new perimeter. A Romanian study revealed that 79% of small‑business employees ignore basic cyber‑hygiene, underscoring a broader skills gap.

The Italian privacy authority warned of deep‑fake threats to personal identity, and researchers and policymakers, including Luciano Maiani and Ernesto Ruffini, called for greater EU investment in AI research to curb brain drain and prepare the labour market for AI‑driven change.

HP presented its 2026 strategy, showcasing AI‑enabled hybrid work solutions that integrate hardware, software and services to boost productivity while addressing emerging security concerns.