🖥️ Digitalization in Italy: how is the situation in our country?
- Simone Zanon
- May 7
- 2 min read
How is the state of digitization in Italy, between firsts in public AI and challenges in digital skills.
Italy is at a crossroads in its digital transformation journey. On the one hand, it excels in specific areas such as artificial intelligence in public administration; on the other hand, it must overcome significant obstacles such as the digital skills gap and the digitization of SMEs. Let's analyze the current situation and understand why digitization is important for the Green Transition.
According to the 2024 Report of the Observatory on Italy's Digital Transformation, our country ranks 23rd in Europe for digitization of citizens, with only 22 percent of the population equipped with advanced digital skills. However, Italy boasts the European record for Artificial Intelligence projects in Public Administration and 6th place for 5G coverage.
Key challenges include:
Digital skills gap: only 46% of Italian adults have basic IT skills and the rate of graduates in ICT disciplines is among the lowest in Europe;
Digitization of SMEs: only 28 percent of Italian companies have reached a high or very high level of digital intensity.
However, the NRP allocates 48 billion euros for the digital transition, offering a unique opportunity to close the gap and accelerate digitization.
Digitization is not just a goal in its own right, but a key enabler for energy transition, sustainability and competitiveness. In this era, environmental problems require innovative and integrated solutions, so digital technologies become essential:
Efficient resource management: data monitoring and analysis systems, based on IoT and AI, enable real-time optimization of energy consumption, identification of waste and immediate corrective measures. This is true for both enterprises and smart cities, where efficient energy management is also critical for savings.
Renewable energy development: AI and IoT improve the management and distribution of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, making supply more stable and reliable. Smart grids make it possible to balance energy production and consumption by integrating renewable sources efficiently.
Circular economy: digitization facilitates material tracking and waste management, promoting a circular economy. Digital platforms make it possible to monitor the life cycle of products, incentivize reuse and recycling, and reduce environmental impact, including through new tools such as digital product passports.
Sustainable mobility: digital technologies support the development of sustainable mobility systems, such as electric cars, car sharing and smart public transport. Integrated mobility apps and traffic management systems optimize routes and reduce emissions.
Italy has the potential to become a leader in digitization, but a joint effort by institutions, businesses and citizens is needed. Investing in digital skills, supporting the digitization of SMEs and promoting the use of technologies for sustainability are key steps to building a digital and sustainable future.
Digitization is not just a technological goal, but an engine for economic and social transformation that can generate environmental, economic and social benefits.
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