Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making big changes in Italy, impacting everything from how businesses operate to the way public services are delivered. Italy is investing heavily in AI, recognizing its potential to boost the economy and improve everyday life.
Recent data shows some exciting trends the number of AI startups in Italy has grown by 25% in the last two years. This increase shows that Italy is becoming a hotspot for new AI technologies.
AI statistics in Italy also reveal significant government support, with over €400 million invested in AI research and development. This investment aims to make Italy a world leader in AI technology.
Join us as we explore the transformative impact of AI in Italy and discover how it’s setting the stage for a smarter, more efficient future.
Top AI Statistics in Workplace (Editor’s Pick)
- The number of AI startups in Italy has increased by 25% over the last two years, indicating a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the AI sector.
- Over €400 million has been invested by the Italian government in AI research and development, aiming to position Italy as a leader in AI technology.
- As of 2025, 23% of Italian companies have adopted AI technologies, maintaining the same level as in 2024. Among large enterprises, the adoption rate has increased to 32.5%, up from 24.1% the previous year.
- By 2025, AI is projected to contribute approximately €267.8 billion to Italy’s economy, primarily by offsetting productivity losses due to demographic shifts.
- The AI market in medical imaging is expected to grow from €36 million in 2022 to approximately €395 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 34.9%.
- By 2030, 75% of businesses in Italy are expected to use AI, with telecom and high-tech sectors leading the adoption.
The Italian AI Ecosystem
“The Italian AI ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by innovation and strategic investments. As the country embraces digital transformation, AI is becoming a pivotal force across various industries, supported by the adoption of the best AI tools.
1. Research Communities
Italian universities offer over 200 AI curricula across approximately 50 institutions, and the National Artificial Intelligence PhD Programme (PhD-AI.it) was launched in 2021, one of the largest AI PhD programs globally. Despite these strengths, the ecosystem faces challenges:
- Gender Gap: Only 19.6% of AI researchers in Italy are women, which is significantly lower than the nearly 50% in STEM fields overall.
- Patent Capacity: Italy produces fewer patents per research paper compared to other EU countries, indicating a need for better translation of research into marketable innovations.
2. Technology and Solution Providers
In February 2021, Italy had 260 companies offering AI products and services. The breakdown of these companies is as follows:
- 55% provide AI solutions specific to sectors like Healthcare, Marketing & Sales, Finance, and Cybersecurity.
- 25% offer more general AI services, such as data analysis, forecasting, and human-AI interaction.
- 10% are system integrators, and 5% are consulting companies.
- Approximately one-third of these companies are start-ups, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit in Italy’s AI sector.
3. Private and Public User Organizations
- The manufacturing sector is the most active in AI adoption, accounting for 22% of all AI projects initiated by medium-sized companies in Italy.
- The banking and finance sector, contributing 16% of the total AI projects, is another leading area of AI adoption in Italy.
4. Private And Public User Organizations
The Italian ecosystem includes both private and public user organizations. In 2020, 53% of medium-large Italian companies, according to Politecnico di Milano, initiated at least one AI project, with manufacturing (22%), banking-finance (16%), and insurance (10%) leading in fully operational projects.
2023: A Landmark Year for AI Adoption in Italy
In 2023, Italian businesses experienced a significant surge in AI adoption, with 23% of companies implementing AI technologies by September, up from 18% in 2022, marking a 28% growth.
Notably, 51% of these adopters utilize large language models (LLMs) or generative AI. If this trend in digital adoption persists, Italy is well-positioned to achieve the Digital Decade target of 75% of businesses using AI by 2030.
Did You Know:
If this rate of growth is maintained, €329 billion could be added to the Italian economy, an additional €78 billion from last year’s prediction of €251 billion.
Italian AI Adoption: Enthusiasm High, But Slightly Behind European Peers
While AI adoption in Italy is growing, it slightly trails behind the European average, with 33% of European businesses adopting AI by September 2023, reflecting a 32% growth from 2022.
Despite this, 67% of Italian businesses higher than the European average of 63% believe AI will significantly transform their industry within the next five years. Moreover, those Italian businesses that have adopted AI are already reaping operational benefits.
AI is proving to be a significant growth driver for Italian businesses, with 63% reporting revenue increases due to its adoption. As more companies recognize the power of AI, its adoption in Italy is expected to continue rising.
Barriers and Challenges in AI Adoption
Barriers and challenges in AI adoption refer to the obstacles and difficulties that organizations face when implementing artificial intelligence solutions.
- 63% of Italian businesses face barriers due to strict standards for data exchange between AI providers (compared to 23% in Europe).
- 38% of Italian businesses cite a lack of choice between AI providers, difficulties switching providers, and concerns about AI system costs as obstacles.
Digital Skills Gap
The digital skills gap in Italy highlights the disparity between the demand for digital expertise and the availability of skilled professionals.
- 54% of Italian businesses report lacking basic digital skills.
- 19% of Italian businesses find it easy to recruit staff with the necessary digital skills.
- 90% of Italian businesses offer some form of digital skills training.
- 32% of Italian businesses regularly implement comprehensive digital training programs.
Public Perception of AI in Italy
Public perception of AI statistics in Italy reflects a mix of optimism and concern, with significant worries about job losses and the broader impact of AI on society.
- 56% of Italian citizens believe AI will impact their lives within the next three years.
- 75% of Italian citizens express concerns about AI.
- 48% of Italian citizens are worried about potential job losses due to AI.
AI Medical Statistics in Italy
The integration of AI into medical imaging in Italy is rapidly advancing, showcasing significant growth and innovation across the healthcare sector.
The AI market in medical imaging in Italy is expected to grow from $36 million in 2022 to a projected $395 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.9%.
- The AI in the medical imaging market in Italy was valued at €36 million in 2022 in Italian medical professionals use different AI tools like image generator tools for medical imaging.
- This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.9%, reaching approximately €395 million by 2030.
- AI projects like breast cancer detection in Lombardy and precision oncology in Emilia-Romagna highlight regional advancements.
- Universities in Naples and Catania are leading AI research tools for medical imaging, focusing on areas like brain MRI analysis and lung nodule detection.
Impact of AI in Italy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming the Italian economy, with substantial growth expected across various industries. Here are some key statistics that highlight this impact:
Estimated share of AI adopter companies by 2030 across various industrial sectors in Italy, highlighting that Telco and high tech (64%) and Financial Services (61%) sectors are leading in AI adoption, followed by Energy (60%) and Retail (55%).
1- Economic Growth In Italy:
AI adoption is expected to contribute up to €570 billion in additional turnover by 2030, representing a 23% increase compared to 2017 levels.
3- Industry Adoption:
By 2030, approximately 64% of companies in the telecom and high-tech sectors are expected to adopt AI technologies, leading to a potential annual revenue growth increase of 2.8 percentage points for adopters versus non-adopters.
3- Workforce Impact:
Approximately 86% of surveyed companies are already implementing AI projects, though only 3% are at an advanced maturity stage.
Main Risks of AI Implementation in Italy
AI implementation and AI statistics in Italy present significant risks that must be managed for successful adoption:
25% of the concerns are related to maintenance costs, including investments and training. Other significant risks include the impact on employees (21%), excess data (16%), and regulatory compliance (14%).
- Cost Uncertainty: Future costs related to IT integration, process alignment, and employee training remain unpredictable, posing financial risks.
- Workforce Impact: Over 50% of AI projects aim to automate tasks, potentially leading to job redundancies, which requires careful workforce management strategies.
Did You Know:
60% of Italian households report not knowing how to use the internet, and ten percent have no internet connection at all.
Impact of AI on Businesses In Italy
Companies that excel at embracing AI in a pervasive way will eventually command a significant and sustainable AI statistics in Italy.
Italy Adopts the “World’s First” AI Law Package
AI statistics in Italy has made a significant move by adopting the “world’s first” comprehensive AI law package. Approved by the Council of Ministers, this legislation seeks to regulate AI usage and prevent misuse, covering areas like national strategy, AI governance, and criminal sanctions.
The law is designed to enhance Italy’s AI sector by attracting talent, supporting small businesses, and enforcing strict penalties for harmful AI-generated content. It also aligns with EU regulations, focusing on AI literacy and professional training across the nation.
AI Strategic Design Of AI
Italy’s AI strategic design for 2025-2026 represents a forward-thinking approach aimed at integrating artificial intelligence across various sectors;
Research Investments: Italy is committed to substantial investments in both foundational and applied AI research, aiming to maintain its competitiveness in the global AI research landscape.
Enterprise Adoption: Only 15% of Italian SMEs initiated AI projects in 2022, but this is expected to increase significantly with the new strategy, which emphasizes support for AI adoption among businesses.
Public Administration: The strategy includes specific projects like the AGENAS platform for healthcare, with a budget of €57.57 million, highlighting the focus on integrating AI into public services.
Future Trends and Predictions
When I think about the future trends and predictions in AI, particularly in Italy, I see a landscape that’s poised for significant transformation. Here are my predictions for 2025 and by 2030;
- Adoption Growth: I expect 23% of Italian companies will implement AI, up from 18% in 2022.
- Economic Impact: AI could add €329 billion to Italy’s economy.
- Sectoral Impact: Manufacturing and finance will lead AI projects at 22% and 16%, respectively.
- Widespread Adoption: About 75% of businesses will use AI, with telecom and high-tech sectors leading.
- Revenue Growth: AI could boost turnover by €570 billion, a 23% increase from 2017.
- Medical Imaging: The market may grow from €36 million in 2022 to €395 million by 2030, with a 34.9% CAGR.
AllAboutAI’s Final Roundup of AI Expected Growth
As I wrap up my exploration of AI’s expected growth in Italy, it’s clear that we’re on the brink of a significant transformation across multiple sectors. By 2025, I anticipate seeing a noticeable rise in AI adoption, with businesses increasingly recognizing the potential benefits.
These predictions are based on various factors, including current trends in AI adoption, economic forecasts, and sector-specific developments. For instance, the rapid growth in AI startups, significant government investments, and the adoption of AI in key industries like manufacturing and finance all contribute to a promising outlook.
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Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of AI statistics in Italy and the trends and predictions in the nation, it’s evident that AI is set to revolutionize multiple sectors across the country. This momentum is expected to continue through 2030.
Moreover, AI is becoming an integral part of Italy’s economic landscape, contributing to substantial revenue growth and technological advancements. With the Italian government’s strategic support and a clear focus on AI integration, the future of AI in Italy looks promising, paving the way for a smarter, more efficient society.
Citation
| Statista | Edurank |
| Docs Italia | Rome Business School |
| AWS | |
| E4 Company | Decode 39 |
| Insights 10 | AGID |
| Democracy Technologies | SSRN |
