Milan launches Officina AI innovation zone amid national AI education summit

Italy is advancing its integration of artificial intelligence across education and industry. The Next Gen AI Summit, held in Milan and Cernobbio, brings together students, teachers, and international representatives to discuss the role of AI in education. Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara highlighted Italy's progress, noting that the country is among the first to experiment with AI to enhance teaching and has implemented legislative frameworks to align with European regulations.

In the industrial sector, Assolombarda has launched ‘Officina AI’, a Development and Innovation Zone (ZIS) based in Milan. Managed by the MADE Competence Center, this public-private partnership involves 19 entities aiming to support businesses, particularly SMEs, in developing and industrializing AI solutions. The initiative seeks to leverage Lombardy’s strong manufacturing and mechatronics sectors to transform the region into an AI production hub, focusing on ‘physical AI’ to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Legislative updates also include Decree 179/2026, which adapts Italian law to the EU AI Act. This decree establishes guidelines for using AI in schools, integrating digital citizenship and STEAM disciplines into curricula, and mandating training for educators.