The remarkable capabilities demonstrated by Generative AI evoke high expectations, albeit with some concerns. However, over the past 25 years, the widespread adoption of ICT has not consistently translated into productivity growth at the levels seen in the last century (in the USA, an annual rate of 0.4% compared to the 2% average of the previous 50 years). This disparity signals that ICT has not yet fully realized its potential. Will the same hold for AI? What measures can we take to ensure that AI becomes a driver of economic development and boosts productivity and competitiveness for businesses?

These questions were tackled by Professor Carlo Cottarelli, the keynote speaker at the event organized by Assist Digital held yesterday morning at the Hyatt Hotel in Milan. The gathering attracted over 80 executives from some of the most prominent companies in our country's industrial landscape.

Hence, companies must adapt their ecosystems, align technological innovation with human experiences and capabilities, foster workforce evolution and personnel reskilling, facilitate change management processes and digital adoption, and engage with educational institutions and modern university training programs. While the adoption of new operational models to enhance productivity performance is necessary, equally vital is educating customers about embracing new technologies.

The discussion underscored how AI can propel business development while emphasizing the indispensable role of human oversight in supervising technological work, interpreting data, and making critical decisions. Therefore, it remains essential for business leaders to adopt a strategic approach to change, implementing necessary actions for process transformation, skill development, and corporate culture evolution.