On 27 March 2025, we hosted a dynamic Pledgers’ Share & Connect “Reskilling and Upskilling for an AI-Powered Manufacturing” event at the i3P, Politecnico di Torino’s Incubator, in Torino, Italy. However, this event wasn’t just another networking opportunity, it was a dynamic space for real-time learning, brainstorming, and, most importantly, enforcing collaboration across sectors.
Bringing together a diverse range of experts, industry leaders, and educators, discussions centred around the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping workforce development in the manufacturing sector, and explored strategies for fostering adaptability, career growth, and long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving AI-driven industrial landscape.
Following a warm welcome from Fulvio Corno, Vice Rector for Education, and Emilio Paolucci, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, at the Politécnico di Torino, who emphasised the importance of technological advancements in reshaping industries and the workforce, event moderator, Francesca Barisani, Chief of Outreach at the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative, set the stage for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, workforce development, and manufacturing.
A platform for collaboration
One of the standout themes throughout the event was the vital need for increased collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and startups. Participants heard from experts about the current state of digital education, with a particular focus on how Italy and other European countries are working to close the gap in technical skills. Leading voices from across academia and industry made it clear that true innovation in education requires a partnership-based approach and creating strong connections between universities, companies, and tech-driven startups, to develop curricula that respond directly to the fast-changing tech landscape.
Key note addresses and presentations
Cosimo Musca, Deputy Head of Italian Public Affairs & Programs Management Director at STMicroelectronics, and a member of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Advisory Board, kicked off the speaker sessions with insights into the evolving landscape of AI within manufacturing, highlighting the growing importance of integrating AI technologies into manufacturing processes to drive innovation and efficiency. Furthermore, he underscored the need to promote a deeper understanding and knowledge of deep tech across industries, stressing that this is essential for fostering advancements in the field.
The first set of presentations featured experts from across the industry.
Fabio Sattolo, Chief People & Technology Officer at Covisian Group, shared how AI-driven transformation is already reshaping customer experiences, with AI-driven systems handling initial customer inquiries, allowing human agents to focus on solving more complex issues. By reshaping job functions and the skill sets required, this paves the way for more specialised training programmes, and further emphasises the need for a future-ready workforce equipped with the problem-solving skills and competencies they need to thrive in an AI-augmented environment.
Fabio Nascimbeni from the European Training Foundation, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it presents in the context of workforce education and training within manufacturing, while Pierfrancesco Rizzo, Head of AI Lab at Iveco Group, who shared an innovative approach to “Smart Technical Drawings,” utilizing Generative AI and Computer Vision to improve system engineering processes.
Transforming learning and workplaces
As AI continues to permeate every sector, its potential to automate repetitive tasks, enhance learning systems, and improve workplace efficiency is undeniable. However, AI also brings challenges, particularly in how it reshapes job roles and impacts skill requirements for both workers and educators.
To highlight the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both transforming educational methods and enhancing workforce readiness, several Pledgers of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative had the opportunity to present their experience.
Raghu Movva, Scientific Director at Miticoro discussed emerging AI applications in manufacturing and the skills required to implement them, while Kevin Giorgis, President of Ecosistema Formazione Italia explored way to build an ecosystem where companies, training providers, and institutions work together to bridge skill gaps, drive upskilling, and adapt to evolving workforce needs.
Other interesting discussions included Sergio Gusmeroli, Research Coordinator at Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi) who provided insights into how AI is reshaping industrial engineering and the necessary competencies for engineers, and Milena Bigatto, Education for Innovation Officer, for Trentino Innovation focused on the best practices and case studies of AI-driven manufacturing transformation at the regional level.
Furthermore, AI’s role in education is expanding beyond administrative support, with AI technologies being leveraged to create more personalised learning experiences, adapting to the needs of individual students. This allows institutions to offer scalable solutions that cater to a broader range of learners while ensuring quality training.
Building a skilled workforce
With industries moving rapidly toward more sophisticated technologies, skills development has become more important than ever, with a focus on fostering both technical and soft skills, skills that go beyond textbook knowledge and encourage problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. Linda Ferro, Senior Manager for Upskill & Reskill at EIT Manufacturing, took the stage to highlight the critical importance of skills preparedness in the manufacturing sector, with a focus on the necessary upskilling and reskilling strategies to address the workforce needs of tomorrow.
Speakers also stressed that training programs must be dynamic and continuously updated to match the latest industry demands, with Paola Pisano, Professor of Business and Innovation Management at Università di Torino and former Minister for Technological Innovation of Italy, explored “AI and Human-Machine Collaboration” from an academic perspective, providing valuable insights into how academia is preparing the next generation of engineers and innovators.
This is where collaboration between educational institutions and businesses comes into play. Universities are urged to integrate industry-relevant knowledge into their curricula, while businesses must actively contribute by providing internships, mentorship programs, and other hands-on learning opportunities.
The final presentations came from Domenico Maria Caprioli from Pledger yourscienceEDU srl, who discussed bridging the skills gap in the manufacturing workforce, and Marta Molinero, EIT Community Office at EIT Hub Italy, who highlighted the role of innovation hubs in driving AI adoption within the manufacturing sector.
The session concluded with closing remarks by Francesca Barisani, summarizing the key takeaways from the event. Attendees then gathered for a networking reception to continue discussions and share insights.
Key takeaways
- The integration of AI into manufacturing is not just about automation but also about enhancing the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
- The future of manufacturing relies on continuous upskilling and reskilling efforts to ensure workers can adapt to new technologies.
- Collaboration between industry leaders, educational institutions, and innovation hubs is key to bridging the skills gap and driving innovation.
The Pledgers’ Share & Connect in Torino proved to be a crucial step toward understanding the intersection of AI and workforce development, setting the stage for a more adaptable, skilled, and competitive manufacturing industry.
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