Last week, we had the pleasure of attending Italian Tech Week 2024 (ITW24) in the historic city of Turin. Bogdan, our CEO, and Andrei, our CMO, were among the thousands who gathered for this highly anticipated event. Over three days, they joined conversations about the future of AI, digital transformation, and how these technologies are reshaping industries.
Here’s a recap of the key moments and insights we gained.
Turin: where history meets technology
Before diving into the tech, it’s worth reflecting on the event’s location.
Turin, a city known for its baroque architecture and industrial past, served as a striking backdrop for ITW24. As you walk through its grand piazzas and centuries-old buildings, you feel the deep history that defines this Italian city. At the same time, Turin has become a growing hub for innovation, creating a perfect contrast between old-world charm and cutting-edge technology.
And yes, of course, we experienced the richness of Turin’s culture, from its beautiful architecture to its exquisite food. It was clear that the city, much like the discussions at ITW24, embodies the theme of blending tradition with modern innovation.
The venue: industrial heritage, modern design
The event took place at Officine Grandi Riparazioni (OGR), a venue that mirrored the city’s spirit of transformation. Once a vast industrial complex for repairing trains, OGR is now a minimalist, modern space that hosts tech conferences and cultural events. Its industrial bones – raw steel beams, brick walls and high ceilings – create a strong contrast with its sleek, modern interiors.
The venue perfectly captured the essence of the event: a dialogue between the industrial past and the digital future.
Day 1: kicking off with AI and industry insights
The first day of Italian Tech Week dove straight into the heart of AI innovation across industries. One of the opening discussions focused on how AI is transforming healthcare, particularly in areas like drug discovery and patient care. With over $2 billion needed to bring a single drug to market, AI’s ability to streamline this process holds incredible promise for the future of medicine.
Also noteworthy was a session on AI in Financial Services, where Stefano Sperimborgo from Accenture and Raffaele De Lucia from Microsoft delved into the role of generative AI in reshaping the financial sector. They offered real-world examples of how AI is being integrated into operations, driving efficiency and enabling more inclusive financial services. It was a strong reminder that the future of finance is not just digital… it’s intelligent.
We also noted the growing focus on digital inclusivity, as companies strive to make technology more accessible to wider audiences. It’s a message that resonates with us at LifeinCloud as we work to provide cloud solutions that help developers, startups, and SMBs to grow and innovate.
Day 2: leadership, AI’s social impact, and Europe’s role
Day two brought the most anticipated moments of the event – Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and John Elkann, CEO of Exor and Chairman of Stellantis & Ferrari, took the stage for a conversation about the future of AI and its broader social implications. The room buzzed with energy as these two titans discussed the long-term impact of AI on everything from leadership to job markets.
Sam emphasized that in the next 20 years, we’ll see more progress than in the last two centuries. His vision of AI’s future wasn’t just about technological advancements, but about its societal implications: how AI will influence everything from education to governance. John Elkann added that Europe has a unique opportunity to lead in ethical AI development, shaping the global conversation on how technology can serve humanity.
One of the standout panels of the day centered on scaling teams in innovative ways. Matilde Giglio, co-founder of Even, shared her approach to growing a company without a traditional HR department. By fostering transparency and using creative compensation structures, she has scaled her team to over 300 employees. This session was a reminder that innovation isn’t just about the technologies we create but about how we build and manage our organizations.
Day 3: AI in mobility and sustainability
The final day of ITW24 shifted focus to the future of mobility and sustainability, two areas where AI is playing an increasingly pivotal role. Ned Curic, CTO of Stellantis, shared insights into how AI is being integrated into their vehicles, from autonomous driving to enhancing the in-car experience. Stellantis already has over 130 AI systems in place, and by 2025, AI will revolutionize their four basic automotive pillars: driving, navigation, entertainment, and communication. Ned’s vision of the in-cabin experience (one where cars are more than just a means of transportation, but fully interactive environments) offered a glimpse into how AI will transform mobility in the near future.
At the same time, the discussions around AI’s energy intensity brought an important balance to the conversation. Sustainability was a recurring theme, with many speakers emphasizing the need for clean energy solutions to power the AI-driven future. It’s clear that innovation must go hand-in-hand with responsibility, especially when it comes to managing the environmental impact of these powerful technologies.
Key takeaways: innovation, leadership, and collaboration
ITW 2024 highlighted the incredible potential of AI, but also the challenges that come with it. It’s not just changing how industries operate… it’s reshaping the very foundations of how we live and work.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration between startups, corporations, and governments to ensure that these technologies are used in ways that benefit society.
For us, the biggest takeaway was the emphasis on long-term vision and responsible leadership. As Sam Altman reminded us, real progress takes time, and the most meaningful innovations are those that are developed thoughtfully and ethically. This message aligns with our approach at LifeinCloud, where we focus on building scalable & sustainable solutions that help our customers navigate the complexities of the digital age.
Looking Ahead…
As we reflect on our experience at ITW24, we are filled with new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. The event was not just an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, but a chance to see how our own work fits into the larger picture of tech-driven transformation.
The event was a reminder that while technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, it’s the human element (leadership, ethics, and collaboration) that will determine its true impact.
And as for Turin? Well, we’ll be back… not just for the tech, but for the culture, the food, and the city’s enduring charm. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes on the horizon, ready for what’s next.
