Industrial renaissance: digital disruption and the post 4.0 economy
Creativity, science and technology are the fundamental elements of the radical change that the digital revolution has brought to industry over recent years. Manufacturing – above all additive manufacturing – has reaped the benefits of the accelerated production timeframes and means resulting from the introduction of artificial intelligence, the ‘Internet of Things’ and 3D printing. The digital revolution does not hinge on technology alone however, it is primarily cultural, with suppliers either adapting or vanishing in this ecosystem of newly created materials.
Climate Change = Economic Change
The problem of global warming can no longer be deferred if its catastrophic planet-wide consequences are to be avoided. That was the message of a special report issued in October by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the most authoritative scientific body dedicated to the study of climate change. According to the report, at the current rate, by 2030 the global temperature increase will surpass 1.5°C, which is considered the upper safety limit for containing and managing the fall-out, albeit at the cost of massive investments in financial, material and human resources.
The economy of the digital transformation: a question of value
The linchpin of discussions at this Aspen Seminar for Leaders session was the notion that digital transformation has become the driving force behind a new and constantly developing economy. Adding to the billions of smartphones that have brought people across the world in touch with each other are billions of sensors that remain connected all day, every day, without interruption. This is generating an immense amount of data that requires proper infrastructure and analytics skills.
Focus on industry: human capital and artificial intelligence
Proceedings at this Aspen Seminar for Leaders began with an examination of the premise that the digital revolution currently underway is subverting the relationship between humankind and machine, with the change in progress being not only technological but also cultural in nature. With the advent of robots, the economy, society, and the law are also changing – all at a breakneck pace that was inconceivable in past revolutions.
To the future. The economy, demographics and democracy
The participants at this roundtable noted that the current state of political, economic, and anthropological flux demonstrates that democratic and civilization models are proving less and less effective guarantees of liberal democratic values, whilst the conflict between the growing difficulty of achieving a new world order and the emergence of new touchstones built around the notion of the nation-state would seem to be getting stronger.
Building a new silk road: Sicily’s role
Kicking off discussions at this National Conference was the observation that southern Italy’s ports, intermodal facilities, and adjacent hinterland areas have a strategic opportunity within their grasp, with Mediterranean routes now serving as crossroads for global traffic. It was felt, however, that in order to seize these opportunities, medium and long-term choices need to be made, with a commitment at the governmental level to ensure that the right incentives, an apposite regulatory framework, and a coherent vision for pursuing Italy’s economic interests are all in place.
Italian trade fair sector for a new industrial policy
Discussions at this National Conference kicked off with the observation that Italy’s trade-fair sector is a key tool for promoting the country’s economy. Not only do successful events have an important economic impact on the area in which they are hosted, with a potentially greater than tenfold multiplier effect, but trade fairs also offer crucial support to businesses.
Innovation to boost competitiveness in agriculture
The participants at this national roundtable described Italian agriculture as a sector which, although growing, is still replete with shortcomings. The industry has shown that it can shift exports of over 41 billion euro, but this is still not in the league of Germany’s 80 billion euro figure. It was felt that the sector continues to suffer from insufficient competitiveness, due mainly to a lack of investment and innovation.
Cybersecurity: dangers and opportunities for businesses
Investments, culture, sharing: three elements that pundits and professionals consider indispensable to making System Italy resistant to cyber threats.
Mapping future leadership on the strength of experience
Several topics were debated at the first biennial conference of the Aspen Junior Fellows Alumni, a group embodying a wealth of up-and-coming young talent already adept at conscientiously applying the ethos of Aspen Institute Italia from having taken part in the Aspen Junior Fellows initiative. The focus of the event was to discern, through the exchange of experiences and views, the challenges facing leaders of the future.
Banks and the real economy: renewing cooperation to boost local development
The participants at this National Conference noted that after a decade of profound economic and social crisis, some encouraging signs are emerging on a macroeconomic level that lend hope to the possibility of reestablishing a virtuous circle between the financial system, the real economy, and society at large. It was acknowledged, however, that there are still many challenges to be addressed, including regulation and the technological acceleration that has led to the advent of the fintech phenomenon.
Regulating lobbying in Italy
It was noted during this talk-debate session that there are signs of economic recovery in Italy, though the indicators are half those showing for Europe and even lower in proportion than those for Spain, a country which usually registers similar performance to Italy. The level of foreign investment remains very low, with the relationship between Italy and the United States, for instance, being very skewed.
Aspenia Talks – Economic relations between Italy and the United States
- Good evening. Thank you Professor Tremonti for the kind introduction. I have actually had the pleasure of meeting Professor Tremonti before, and as I’m sure you all know, he is a very perceptive observer of Italian and world affairs. I am honored to be on stage with him. He is the professor, and I am just the student.
- It’s a pleasure to speak with you tonight about economic relations between the United States and Italy.
- I have been living in Italy, the bel paese, for six months now, and so in many respects, I a
Society and labor in the era of artificial intelligence
The consensus at this 9th annual conference of the Italian Talent Abroad group was that artificial intelligence and robotics are set to change many aspects of everyday life, ranging from transport to the environment, and from health to security. This was hailed as a game-changing process that is already underway and which risks rendering many existing economic, social, and political structures no longer fit for purpose.
Italian talent abroad
This National Interest event of the Italian Talent Abroad group focused on work, training and innovation as the key launching pads for the country’s future. It was noted that while the issue of employment is one that impacts on the whole of Europe, it has an even greater bearing in Italy. In particular, there is a risk of losing an entire generation of talent, thereby fueling a vicious circle, since the destruction of skills and expertise in many sectors constitutes an irreversible process.