Rome, March 17, 2026 – As artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration into the global economy, Italian businesses are increasingly focused on maximizing the return on their AI investments. Recent sector studies indicate that investments in AI can generate economic returns up to four times the initial investment, but a significant gap remains in translating those technologies into tangible economic benefits. This challenge is driving a new wave of initiatives aimed at upskilling the workforce and fostering a more strategic approach to AI adoption.
According to data from Istat 2025, the introduction of artificial intelligence in Italian companies with at least 10 employees has seen a substantial increase, rising from 8.2% in 2024 to 16.4% in 2025. However, a lack of adequate skills is hindering AI adoption in nearly 60% of companies that have considered investment. This skills gap is a critical barrier to realizing the full potential of AI within the Italian business landscape.
Many companies are currently experimenting with AI models and tools, often without a clear strategic direction. This can lead to costs associated with utilizing models and tokens without producing a measurable impact on Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). To address this fragmented approach, the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, through its Ucbm Academy, is launching an executive master’s program in applied artificial intelligence engineering. The program is designed to project the entire organizational structure of a company towards the effective use of AI.
The potential economic impact of generative AI is substantial. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could generate between $2.6 and $4.4 trillion in global economic value annually, positioning it as a key driver of productivity for businesses in the coming years. However, Professor Leandro Pecchia, Ordinary Professor of Biomedical Engineering and co-scientific director of the Master’s program, emphasizes that AI is not a challenge for individuals, but for organizations. “Our recent studies involving hundreds of companies have demonstrated that AI is not a challenge for individuals, but for organizations,” he stated. “However, most Master’s programs focus on individual use. Our master’s program is different as it asks companies to bring new talent to class, but also their managers and top-level executives. The challenge of AI is won together, or not won at all.”
The need for reskilling and upskilling is paramount. Rossella Ferreri, head of Ucbm Academy, explained, “Today, the real challenge for universities and academies is reskilling – rethinking the skills of people. According to the World Economic Forum, almost 50% of workers will need to update their skills by 2027. We know that AI is already present in the daily work of many professionals, but its value truly emerges when it is integrated systematically into organizations, processes, and the skills of teams.” The Ucbm Academy’s training programs will focus on three key dimensions: care, sustainability, and interdisciplinarity, recognizing that AI is not solely a technological issue, but one of skills, responsibility, and vision.
The master’s program is structured to involve three organizational levels – C-Level executives, middle management, and AI agent trainers – to integrate AI concretely into business processes. The program boasts a strong international and global dimension, with instructors from four continents, and utilizes the entire ecosystem of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome as an applied laboratory. This includes addressing concrete issues such as optimizing healthcare services, managing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, distributing services, and reducing operational and back-office costs.
Partner companies can participate in the Master’s program in various ways, even collaborating with the faculty to define application projects to be developed during the course. The program’s educational model is based on the “human in the loop” principle, where AI supports and enhances human decision-making. In an era where computational capacity and access to advanced models are becoming increasingly valuable resources, the program offers businesses an opportunity not only to train their internal organizations and develop high-impact economic projects but also to meet new talent specializing in the application of AI to business processes.
The scalability of AI technologies can also make even medium-sized companies more competitive, reducing their reliance on large system integrators for process automation and opening up new opportunities for innovation, and growth. The Master’s program will employ a highly selective approach, with both companies and participants chosen reciprocally to ensure a high standard and the maximum practicality of the projects developed.
Andrea Conte, CEO of Innova Semplice SpA and co-creator of the Master’s program, stated, “Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technology, but a new organizational infrastructure. Companies that can integrate it effectively into their processes will have a huge and concrete competitive advantage in terms of EBITDA. The master’s program is designed to accompany businesses in this transformation.” The Master’s program will begin in November 2026, allowing companies to plan their budgets accordingly, and will feature international figures who have contributed to the history of the technology industry and artificial intelligence. For the Italian context, the possibility of funding participation in the program through the use of training funds already allocated by companies will also be evaluated.
The push for AI integration isn’t happening in a vacuum. The broader economic context, with projections of trillions of dollars in potential value creation, underscores the urgency for Italian businesses to adapt and invest in both the technology and the human capital needed to succeed in an AI-driven world. This master’s program represents a significant step towards bridging the skills gap and unlocking the full potential of AI for Italian companies.
The program’s emphasis on a holistic approach – encompassing organizational structure, strategic direction, and continuous learning – suggests a recognition that successful AI implementation requires more than just technological prowess. It demands a fundamental shift in how businesses operate and how they empower their workforce.
Looking ahead, the success of initiatives like the Ucbm Academy’s master’s program will be crucial in determining Italy’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape. The program is scheduled to begin accepting applications in the coming months, with the first cohort set to commence studies in November 2026. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to explore the program details and consider how it can contribute to their long-term AI strategy.
For more information on the Ucbm Academy and the executive master’s program in applied artificial intelligence engineering, interested parties can visit the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome website.
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