Robot and Big Tech, starting tomorrow Milan will host the third edition of the ‘AI Festival’

“AI Festival 2026 will be the place and opportunity in which to take stock of how artificial intelligence is transforming business and the market, creating new opportunities, operating models and competitive advantages for companies,” says Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group and creator of AI Festival and Wmf – We Make Future. “In this context, robotics represents a key sector, rapidly accelerating at a global level, as confirmed by the innovations presented at the CES in Las Vegas. Italy and Europe must invest in research, innovation and practical applications to compete at an international level. This event was created to encourage dialogue between companies, startups and institutions, showing how advanced technologies can integrate with human processes and generate a concrete impact on the economy, industry and society.”

“One of the most compelling economic arguments for Artificial Intelligence is its ability to unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency. Across the EMEA region, companies are using AI to optimize processes, predict demand and automate routine tasks, reducing costs while improving customer satisfaction,” says Marco Fanizzi, vice president Sales & Managing Director of Dell Technologies Italia. “When implemented consciously, Artificial Intelligence should be seen as a collaborator: a technology that enhances human capabilities, frees talent for more creative and strategic activities, and stimulates innovation from within organizations. In addition to immediate efficiency gains, the true economic value of AI lies in its ability to transform companies into data-driven enterprises. By enabling organizations to analyze data at scale, AI uncovers patterns and insights that support better strategic decisions, strengthen customer relationships, and help create more relevant products and services. Investing in AI and data capabilities is therefore an investment in intelligence: the ability to anticipate change, respond to market needs and build a more efficient, resilient and innovative future.”

The event will take place at the Roentgen building of Bocconi University, the main partner of the event, and enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Milan and Assintel – National Association of ICT Companies. Main Sponsors Dell Technologies and Intel; Partners of the edition are Cineca, ESA – European Space Agency, Enia – National Agency for Artificial Intelligence and YesMilano; Radio Partner Rds; Mobility Partners Scuter and Wegoo. The Plenary Hall will be the center of the Ai Festival, hosting keynotes and speeches by international experts, representatives of institutions and leading companies in the sector for two days. The speeches of Daniele Pucci – CEO of Generative Bionics are expected; Walter Riviera – Chief AI Officer of Aiwonder; Andrea Colamedici – writer, editor and co-founder of Tlon; Giuseppe Santonato – Head of Artificial Intelligence for Western Europe at EY; Guido Scorza – lawyer, expert in new technology law, Debora Nozza – Associate Professor of Computer Science at Bocconi University; Brando Benifei – MEP and rapporteur of the AI ​​Act in the European Parliament; Pier Luigi Pisa – Journalist for la Repubblica, Italian Tech; Alessio Pomaro – Head of AI at Search On Media Group.

Also participating will be Daniele Manca – Deputy Director of Corriere della Sera; Gianmario Verona – full professor of Innovation Management at Bocconi University; Arianna Traviglia – director of the Center for Cultural Heritage Technology (Ccht) of the Italian Institute of Technology; Rika Nakazawa – executive head of Global Strategic Innovation at Ntt Data Inc.; Alessandra Poggiani – general director of Cineca; Sasha Luccioni – researcher in Artificial Intelligence and Climate; Chiara Cocchiara – Senior Innovation Officer of ESA; Oreste Pollicino – Full Professor of Constitutional Law at Bocconi University; Marco Fanizzi – vice president of Sales and managing director of Dell Technologies Italia; Layla Pavone – Member of the Board for Innovation, Technology and Digital Transformation of the Municipality of Milan. Also scheduled is the round table on the theme “AI and Italy’s dimensional challenge” featuring Marco Gay, executive President of Zest Investments, Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General of Insme, Gianluca Galgano, Italy Head of Startup and Venture Capital of Ey, Vincenzo Di Nicola, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Fund of Cdp Venture Capital and Massimo Calzoni Promotion Manager, Support Services and Coordinator of the Invitalia Startup System of Iinvitalia. Alongside Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group and creator of AI Festival, there will be Fjona Cakalli, Tech Reporter, Content Creator & Presenter Techprincess.it and Jakidale, Youtuber & Content Creator.

Alongside the Plenary, AI Festival 2026 offers a training program divided into advanced courses and concrete application cases. AI Deep Dive features high-intensity technical sessions, while AI Horizons features keynotes and strategic use cases. Innovation Arena and Impact Forum offer spaces for discussion between founders, investors, institutions and companies to explore the impact of AI on business, society and sustainability. Governance & Legal Tech delves into rules, compliance and responsible AI models, while AI Solution and AI Tools & Business showcase innovative tools and services through live demonstrations. Three thematic workshops complete the offer, providing practical skills for diversified professional roles, from Data Analysts to Product Managers, from Sales Managers to Innovation Managers. Among the speakers present: Claudio Arlandini (CINECA), Gaia Contu (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) and Carlo Rinaldi (Humans.tech). The complete training program is available online.

Inside the AI ​​Festival exhibition area, participants will be able to explore advanced robotics solutions and immersive technologies designed to operate alongside humans, together with concrete applications of artificial intelligence in the industrial, urban and creative fields. High-performance quadruped robots on display, capable of high agility and advanced operational functionality, accompanied by augmented and virtual reality experiences. Featured projects include Hidoba Research’s Robot Captcha, a multilingual assistant with customizable personality and eye-tracking systems; Yape by e-Novia, self-driving terrestrial drone for last mile logistics; and the Totem AI Photobooth, which uses generative AI to create personalized images in real time.

The area also represents a unique opportunity for technological scouting and strategic business: participants can test ready-to-use tools and software, interact with manufacturers and research centers and establish direct contacts with international brands, innovative startups and technological partners. Thanks to the dedicated B2B areas and the matchmaking service via WebApp, the knowledge acquired in the training sessions can be transformed into concrete opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

It confirms itself as a strategic observatory for the analysis and meeting with the most promising innovative entrepreneurial projects in the sector. At the center of the programming, the final of the “AI For Future” Call will see 6 selected startups present their projects in the Plenary room in front of a jury made up of the main investors and market stakeholders. At the same time, the exhibition area will host innovative startups and SMEs with tools, software and services under development. An opportunity therefore, and a privileged place to intercept market developments and encourage direct contact between investments and new technological solutions.