Spoke 5 Eng

On May 8, the third in-person meeting of the P2 | BASIC AI & ROBOTICS APPLICATIONS4SMEs project took place. The initiative, an integral part of the RAISE Training Program, coordinated by Spoke 5, aims to support local small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting advanced technologies, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics.

The event, centered on the theme “AI and Machine Learning in Service of SME Customer Engagement”, provided an important opportunity for discussion on the growing role that AI and Machine Learning are playing in reshaping marketing, communication, and customer engagement strategies in an increasingly data-driven and hyper-personalized market.
Following participant registration and introductory remarks, two industry experts delivered talks, sharing practical experiences and case studies.

The first speaker was Francesco Boano, Chief Technology Officer at Next Different, a company formed from the merger between Different – one of Italy’s leading players in creativity, events, research, and PR – and Next14, a leader in data-driven media planning and strategy services. Boano highlighted how the advanced use of data, combined with the development of digital platforms, enables the creation of effective and targeted communication, based on a deep understanding of audiences.

Next, Francesco Caruso – CEO and founder of Mallei – presented an innovative operational approach to support SMEs in commercial expansion. His strategy includes the strategic profiling of prospects, the creation of customized databases, the optimization of digital channels, and the structured management of targeted outreach. His presentation offered a practical example of how well-integrated technology can generate real business value and new market opportunities.

The event concluded with a networking aperitif, which facilitated direct exchanges between participants and speakers, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and the sharing of experiences.

The meeting marked a significant milestone in promoting a culture of innovation among Ligurian SMEs, contributing to the development of a regional ecosystem increasingly prepared to face the challenges of digital transformation.

On April 2, 2025, the round table “AI and Robotics for the Efficiency and Digitalization of SMEs: Perspectives in Comparison” took place at Talent Garden in Genoa. This was the first in-person event of the P2 | BASIC AI & ROBOTICS APPLICATIONS4SMEs project, promoted within the RAISE Training Program and coordinated by Spoke 5.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue between academic experts, entrepreneurs, and startups, aiming to explore the role of artificial intelligence and robotics in small and medium-sized enterprises. The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges related to adopting these technologies in traditional sectors, highlighting the importance of training and collaboration between established companies and emerging innovative ventures.

The event was structured into two thematic sessions. The first panel, dedicated to the competitive advantages of AI and robotics, featured speakers such as Nicoletta Buratti (University of Genoa), Georgia Cesarone (Start 4.0 and ICT Liguria), and Giorgia Profumo (University of Genoa). The panelists analyzed the potential of these technologies for the industrial sector, emphasizing the need for proper training to support SMEs in adopting innovation.

The second panel focused on knowledge transfer and collaboration opportunities between traditional businesses and startups. Speakers included Daniele Pallavicini (Giovani Confcommercio), Tobia Lorenzani (Comitato Startup Confcommercio), Gabriele Carbone (Giovani Imprenditori CNA Genova), and Stefania Capuzzi (Fair to Share). They highlighted interaction strategies between established enterprises and new businesses to foster shared growth and innovation.

“The technological advancements we are experiencing have a high transformative impact on production and consumption models. This presents great opportunities but also significant risks and challenges for businesses, both in terms of offering new technological applications and in their adoption by companies. Focusing specifically on SMEs—the core topic of this discussion—recent studies depict a complex scenario, where progress and obstacles coexist. Recent research indicates that Italian SMEs have improved their digital culture due to increased investments in digital technologies. However, there are still widespread resistance, especially towards adopting ‘frontier’ technologies, where the benefits are not yet fully understood. More importantly, there is limited awareness of the role these technologies can play in maintaining or renewing the competitive advantage essential for business survival and growth. This is fundamentally a cultural issue that requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to renewing corporate skills. It is crucial to encourage employees to participate in training initiatives like this one, characterized by highly personalized content, flexible learning methods, and expert support to tailor knowledge to specific business contexts,”commented Nicoletta Buratti from UniGe at the event’s conclusion.

The event served as an essential platform for exchange between the academic and business sectors, helping to shape sustainable technology adoption models and fostering stronger synergy between research and industry.

The initiative generated significant interest among participants, reaffirming the central role of artificial intelligence and robotics in SMEs’ digital transformation journey.

Starting from May 2024, the University of Genoa has been offering P5 – AI FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, one of the training paths included in the RAISE’s Training Program coordinated by Spoke 5 of RAISE.

This training program, primarily designed for public administration employees, features pre-recorded lessons on RAISE’s Aulaweb platform and in-person training sessions. It consists of 3 courses, each with different objectives and target audiences:
– Plan 1 | Basic course open to all public administration employees;
– Plan 2 | Advanced e-leadership course for administrative officers and managers;
– Plan 3 | Advanced e-procurement course for technical staff and administrative officers, with a particular focus on personnel involved in e-procurement and those responsible for the digital transition.

Plan 1 is structured with interactive pre-recorded lessons totaling 10 hours, supplemented with in-person workshops for further study in the Ligurian region.
This course introduces participants to artificial intelligence and robotics in public administration, outlining key principles, practical applications, and organizational, ethical, and legal implications.

The course has received excellent feedback from public employees, attracting 561 participants from various Italian regions and different types of public administrations.

The broad participation – spanning not only Liguria but also Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Abruzzo, Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily – highlights the nationwide relevance of the initiative.

Furthermore, the partecipants represent wide and diverse range of institutions, both central and local, which can be categorized as follows:
– Ministries (Defense, Justice, Research, Agriculture, Interior, etc.);
– Central state agencies and administrations (Revenue Agency, Land Agency, State Attorney’s Office, Court of Auditors, INPS, INAIL, etc.);
– Academic and educational institutions (Universities, CNR, ENEA, Ministry of Education, high schools, etc.);
– Territorial entities (Regions, Provinces, Municipalities, Metropolitan Cities);
– Healthcare facilities (Hospitals, ASL, ALISA);
– Law enforcement and armed forces (Police, Carabinieri, Navy, etc.);
– Cultural institutions (Carlo Felice Theatre Foundation);
– Sports associations (Volleyball League);
– Entities related to Digital Public Administration (Liguria Digitale, Formez PA, etc.);
– Professional orders (Lawyers);
– Additional regional and sectoral entities (Arpal Piedmont, ALFA, Chamber of Commerce, etc.);
– Other entities of various origins (non-public administration).

For 2025, the project coordinator, Prof. Luca Gandullia, and the course manager, Dr. Simona Tirasso, have expressed great satisfaction, emphasizing the critical need, cutting across all professional roles, to train in these subjects in order to perform their jobs more effectively. Acquiring skills in managing emerging technologies that will inevitably become part of daily work is now essential.

The only strategy to tackle this transformation is to invest in continuous and specialized training, delivered by professionals who can guide staff in using innovation and counteracting the obsolescence of skills, which is an increasingly pressing challenge. The success of this project underscores the importance of continuing to offer training programs in this field, which can no longer be considered the domain of IT but must become accessible to all.

For more information on course enrollment, which remains open for all public employees wishing to join in 2025, you can consult the relevant website.