Health-Tech Innovation Events in Italy Spotlight AI for Clinical Care

The second edition of “Disruptive Innovation in Healthcare – Health‑Tech Speed Date” was held at the Monastery of the Benedictines in Catania. Organized by Professor Elita Schillaci of the University of Catania, the event gathered more than 130 speakers from academia, industry and startups across ten thematic clusters. Participants examined cultural resistance, data integration, hybrid skill needs and governance, using artificial‑intelligence tools to synthesize workshop outcomes and create actionable recommendations.

In Naples, the University Federico II hosted the “Health Challenge”, a segment of the “Future of Care” program backed by Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft Italy and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. The open‑innovation lab engaged health professionals and biomedical students in multidisciplinary teams, employing methods such as Lego Serious Play to design ethical, equitable AI solutions for clinical and organisational challenges. The initiative aligns with Italy’s ProMIS health programme and the global J&J CareCommunity and Microsoft Elevate platforms, aiming to embed AI as a supportive tool while preserving the patient‑doctor relationship.