JCU and Confcommercio Host National Conference on Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and Fintech
The Frank J. Guarini School of Business, in collaboration with Confcommercio, organized a national conference called “2000-2030: Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence and Fintech – Some Main Trends and Prospects,” on April 12, 2023. The conference was part of John Cabot University’s 50th Anniversary Events and was held at the Confcommercio Headquarters in Rome.
Carlo Sangalli, President of Confcommercio, kicked off the conference by thanking President Franco Pavoncello for including it in JCU’s 50th Anniversary events. He then explained that digital innovation and technology have changed people’s way of working, studying, and being active citizens. New technologies such as AI are now easily accessible to all, which allowed many small and medium-sized businesses in Italy to come up with innovative solutions to deal with market challenges. Sangalli added that facing the market technological challenges can’t be done unless there’s a cooperation between businesses and academia, which is of strategic importance for innovation.
“2000-2030: Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence and Fintech – Some Main Trends and Prospects,”
Alessandro Antonelli on Tech Innovation
Then, Professor Alessandro Antonelli, from JCU and POLIMI Graduate School of Management spoke about “Technological Innovations, ‘Creative Destruction,’ and Sustainable Growth Models.” Professor Antonelli’s talk focused on paradigm shifts and their impact, which entails an increase in dangers and opportunities for businesses. According to Professor Antonelli, technology and innovations increase the human potential for growth and progress, and yet politics, institutions, and society as a whole face enormous challenges while trying to equip themselves with the right tools to understand and to better address the turbulent processes underway. Unfortunately and paradoxically, he said, in this century of “hyperinformation” and “superintelligence,” people tend to be vulnerable, ignorant, and strongly in need of learning and divulging more in depth the themes and implications of new technologies.
Marco Mione on Digitalization and Sustainable Finance
Marco Mione from Deloitte delivered a talk called “Digitalization, Fintech, and Sustainable Finance as Great Drivers of Change in the First Three Decades of the Third Millennium.” Mione’s talk focused on some of the main trends and drivers of change in the fields of digitalization, fintech, and sustainable finance. He talked about open platforms and cloud, and explained that when finance and technology meet, they radically transform each other. He explained that technology is deeply changing the world of payments and digital transactions, and that artificial intelligence tools, which drive greater automation in the financial service industry, enable companies to offer new products and radically change their interaction with customers. He also talked about Blockchain technology, which has allowed the development of innovative products such as Smart Contracts. Mione also touched upon sustainable finance, and explained that emerging technologies are reshaping the way people invest, borrow, buy, and consume, paying more attention to environmental and social sustainability.
Stefano Achermann on Technology and Finance
Then, Stefano Achermann, Chief Executive Officer of Be Shaping the Future SpA, took the floor and delivered a talk called “Brief History of My Professional Experiences, in the Midst of the Tumultuous Convergences between Technology and Finance.” In his presentation, Achermann talked about his professional experiences over the last 20 years, which have seen him move from top management roles in multinational financial companies to roles as entrepreneur and CEO of Be Shaping the Future, a fintech company. He detailed his entrepreneurial journey from when he bought a small company with significant economic and financial problems 15 years prior, to turning it into a particularly attractive target for acquisition by larger companies, and eventually selling it for a total value of almost half a billion euros. Achermann underlined the importance of strategic vision, appropriate technologies and human resources, strategic and operational flexibility, and attention to corporate social responsibility as fundamental factors for being able to successfully compete in the current context of continuous, tumultuous changes.
From left: Carlo Sangalli, President of Confcommercio, and JCU President Franco Pavoncello
Andrea Crovetto on Real Economy and Fintech
Andrea Crovetto, Chief Executive Officer of Azimut Direct SpA, delivered a talk called “Real Economy and Fintech: A New Asset Management Model to Support Firms.” Crovetto, who until recently also held the role of President of the Italian Fintech Association, focused on how he went from holding various top roles in important Italian financial realm to launching entrepreneurial projects and a startup, strongly based on technological innovation in the finance sector. He pointed out, among other things, the many opportunities for new interesting occupations that technological evolution offers to young people with an adequate education and with a great desire to get involved.
Francesco Lapenta on AI and Labor
Francesco Lapenta, Director of JCU’s Institute of Future and Innovation Studies, argued that artificial intelligence will lead to fundamental changes in labor and employment, creating both challenges and opportunities for young students throughout their careers. Lapenta explained that AI technology is advancing rapidly and will alter the nature of work in the coming years, resulting in significant job market insecurity. However, he emphasized the potential benefits of AI that could assist humanity in facing the numerous challenges of creating a more equitable world. According to Lapenta, today’s students have at least 50 years of work ahead of them, and to remain in control of their careers, they must master the skills of foresight and future scenario analysis. As their work environments evolve, they must develop skills that cannot be easily automated, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence, and the ability to plan their careers. He encouraged young students to be proactive and take charge of their careers, recognizing that those who are willing to embrace change and stay ahead of the curve will shape the future of work.
Carlo Cogoni on Biotechnology
Carlo Cogoni, from La Sapienza University of Rome, talked about “Biotechnologies: Past, State of the Art, Prospects.” Cogoni began by underlining that biotechnologies are as old as human civilization, and gave the example of microorganisms (yeasts) used for the fermentation of mead 12,000 years ago. He explained that the term biotechnology, in its most modern sense, mainly refers to “recombinant DNA techniques that allow for the study of biological macromolecules and for the genetic engineering of living organisms.” Cogoni talked about the possibility of developing a “precision medicine” that consists of a therapeutic approach tailored to the individual patient’s genome, which now seems around the corner. The potential of genomic technologies in improving treatment and prevention is associated with the need to manage the risks that these new approaches generate: the problem of confidentiality of genetic data and the possible discrimination of individuals and populations on a genetic basis.
To conclude the conference, JCU President Franco Pavoncello, thanked the speakers, the participants, Confcommercio, and the National Conference organizers “for their important testimony in honor of John Cabot University, for their congratulations and best wishes, and for their highly appreciated efforts to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge about innovation and its consequences, for the benefit of society.” Then President Pavoncello retraced the main goals achieved during JCU’s first 50 years, the current situation in which the University plays a very important role among American universities abroad, and the future prospects, which appear excellent.
