Italy sees rapid growth in AI adoption and industrial automation

Artificial intelligence is becoming deeply integrated into Italian daily life and industry. Recent data shows that AI assistants reached 18.9 million unique visitors in Italy by August 2026, a significant increase from 9 million in early 2025. While ChatGPT remains the market leader, Google Gemini is gaining ground. Usage intensity has also risen, with Italians spending an average of 80 minutes per month on AI assistants.

In the industrial sector, automated logistics is transitioning from a niche field to a mainstream strategic investment. The launch of Agv Expo 2026 in Piacenza marks a major European milestone for autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) and mobile robots (AMR). This shift is supported by a European warehouse automation market that has exceeded $6.79 billion.

Government and industry bodies are also responding to the technological shift. The Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, alongside AI4I, has launched a public consultation to map the national AI supply chain. Meanwhile, the Next Alliance Awards 2026 recognized innovative projects in generative AI and immersive technologies, signaling that these tools have moved beyond the experimental phase into practical business applications.