Microsoft in January 2024 Ital.IA LAB, training on generative AI

 Microsoft Italy announced important updates related to AI LAB (Learn – Adopt – Benefit), the initiative launched last September and developed in collaboration with the partner ecosystem, to promote the opportunities of Generative Artificial Intelligence for public and private companies, SMEs, professionals and students and contribute to Italy's sustainable growth through new digital innovation scenarios . Barely 3 months after its launch, AI LAB is enriched with new partners and initiatives, further expanding its reach. From January 2024, AI LAB is expanding with the launch of Italian.IA LAB, a training program in generative AI, developed in collaboration with the Digital World Foundation open to all workers, job seekers and students aged 16 and more in our country.

Ital.IA LAB, what does it consist of

The project results in the creation by Microsoft Italia, in collaboration with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, of 20 hubs distributed throughout Italy but with a particular concentration in the south of Italy and in the suburbs of large cities, where Participants will be able to follow personalized and free training on the opportunities and benefits of generative AI. Objective of Ital.IA LAB targets more than 8,000 people, including students, workers and people looking for work.

“  For the past year, we have been experiencing a new technological revolution which, as the data shows, is already helping businesses accelerate their growth. At Microsoft, we see generative AI as a co-pilot always at our side, capable of amplifying the work of people and businesses and freeing our time from routine activities, giving more space to ingenuity and innovation. human creativity. However, it is necessary to guide companies and people to navigate these new scenarios so that they can make the most of this new technology, understand its transformative power and its opportunities, keeping a clear focus on ethical aspects and responsible development thereof. technologies. In just three months, thanks to the AI ​​LAB program, in collaboration with our partners, we have reached 111 companies and launched more than 200 generative AI projects, providing companies with access to technology and personalized training to exploit its full potential. potential. We are facing an unprecedented opportunity, a paradigm shift like we have never seen before and we want to help Italy grow through digital.  » commented Vincenzo Esposito, CEO of Microsoft Italy.

Mirta Michilli, CEO of the Digital World Foundation, commented: “ For artificial intelligence to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive world, we must help people develop the appropriate skills to fully participate in digital transformation: in collaboration with Microsoft and Ital.IA LAB, we offer personalized training capable of reaching everyone, from the most vulnerable groups of workers to young women, from the South to the suburbs. Our strength is the training network, with 40 organizations including schools, local administrations, chambers of commerce .

The advantages of generative AI for startups and SMEs: AI LAB for Digital Entrepreneurs is born

Not just big businesses and public administration. Microsoft Italy also announces AI LAB for digital entrepreneurs i.e. a specific program designed for SMEs and startups that have already started innovation journeys and want to gain an additional competitive advantage through new technologies with a particular emphasis on the transformative power brought by generative Artificial Intelligence.

Capitalizing on the experience of the digital fields program in collaboration with strategic partners such as Cerved, ELITE, LinkedIn and SACE and with the participation of the Poste Italiane Group as a licensing solutions provider and cloud solutions provider, Microsoft Italia provides technologies and services, training and skills for sustainable growth, supporting through partnerships offers and programs intended for businesses and startups in an approach aimed at improving productivity, resilience and sustainability, by promoting impact positive on the economy and society.

As with large companies, even the smallest organizations that join the program will be able to access new Microsoft technologies and solutions, from an assessment of their digital maturity level and training also on next generation AI, in addition of entry into a community. where you can chat, update your skills and share challenges and successful experiences.

New partners in AI LAB for businesses

These two important pillars are added to the three already existing pillars – AI LAB for companies, AI LAB for professionals and AI LAB for students – which currently reach a total of 200 professionals, collaborations with 5 universities and more than 110 companies . There are currently more than 200 innovation scenarios, especially in the retail and financial sector, being evaluated and developed by companies in our country also thanks to the contribution of the Microsoft partner ecosystem .

Microsoft today announced the addition of new partners as part of its AI LAB initiatives for enterprises: 4wardPRO, Computer Gross, Esprinet, Insight, Leonardo, NTT Data, ProgeSoftware, Softjam, SoftwareOne, TD Synnex, VarGroup are added to Accenture, AGIC Group, Almawave, Altitudo, Avanade, Avvale, Capgemini, Engineering, EY, Hevolus, Jakala, MESA, Porini/DGS, PWC, Reply, Prometeia and Trueblue. The ecosystem of Microsoft partners who provide companies with services, skills and dedicated resources in all phases of projects.

The AI ​​LAB for Business program allows companies to begin a journey of evaluation, joint development, implementation of best-in-class generative AI solutions, and training to increase their competitive advantage in the global market. Through personalized advice, assessment activities and the implementation of advanced technologies, public and private organizations, of any sector and size, can deepen their knowledge in the field of AI, identify scenarios of application of AI and develop a responsible adoption roadmap with tangible benefits in terms of growth and productivity.

First experiments in Generative AI: the experience of SIAE and Tinexta

Among the adoption scenarios developed within the AI ​​LAB program, those of SIAE the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers and Tinexta, an industrial group that offers innovative solutions for digital transformation and growth of companies, professionals and institutions.

SIAE, as part of its digital transformation journey, has started a collaboration with Microsoft, equipping its employees with Copilot, with the aim of improving the productivity and precision of daily activities, simplifying the work of employees, through Intelligent suggestions and advanced features, allowing you to optimize workflow and streamline document production, thereby improving collaboration between employees. The experience immediately enabled employees to focus on more challenging and higher value-added tasks, thereby improving the overall quality of work and reducing the level of stress linked to repetitive activities.

“The project with Microsoft for the implementation of Copilot represents a significant step for SIAE in its commitment to providing high quality services. Artificial intelligence has proven to be a valuable resource for improving efficiency, accuracy and collaboration, placing SIAE at the forefront of an ever-evolving digital age, with ongoing respect for copyright . “, declares Matteo Fedeli, Director General of SIAE .

Tinexta has started a collaboration with Microsoft which involves the use of Azure OpenAI and the integration of generative AI into workflows and business processes and plans to activate a trial of Copilot in 2024. The context of the Group being complex and including several companies and business units, Tinexta has established a Group Innovation Committee to periodically discuss technological advancements within the group companies and the status of AI use and implementation.

“  Thanks to the collaboration with Microsoft, the Tinexta Group has equipped its employees with tools based on Azure OpenAI, thus integrating generative AI into workflows and business processes; these tools will also be enriched during 2024 with an experiment with Microsoft Copilot to acquire additional information and elements to continually improve the Tinexta standard for the adoption and use of artificial intelligence. The Group's Innovation Committee works as a priority on these guidelines also for the use of artificial intelligence within the services provided to our customers.  » he declared Francesco Scambia, CIO of the Tinexta group