Software, digital platforms and cybersecurity, research and development, processors, servers, and cloud. These are the main sectors in which Piedmontese companies invested in 2025, a trend that will continue in 2026. It's therefore not surprising that 59% of Piedmontese companies have already started a process of adopting Artificial Intelligence, or is about to do so. These are the main findings of two studies presented this morning by the Research and Statistics Office of Unioncamere Piemonte and the Research Center of Confindustria Piemonte and the Turin Industrial Union.
Cipolletta (Unioncamere Piemonte): "The legacy of Industry 4.0 has acted as a catalyst."
"Our analysis not only paints a positive picture of the economic situation, but also outlines a true metamorphosis of Piedmont's industrial identity. The observed recovery is not a simple statistical rebound, but rather the result of a strategic choice: the shift from an economy of resistance to one of vision. The fact that a third of companies invested in a year of transition indicates that the productive fabric has metabolized innovation no longer as an option, but as the only prerequisite for survival in global markets," he states. Massimiliano Cipolletta, vice president of Unioncamere Piemonte The legacy of Industry 4.0 has acted as a catalyst for technological development that is now inextricably linked to environmental responsibility. We no longer see a dichotomy between efficiency and sustainability; data on research, development, and resource conservation tell us that Piedmontese businesses today plan for profit through the protection of natural capital. In this context, the primacy of areas like Asti and the resilience of the hubs of Cuneo and Turin testify to a vital polycentrism, capable of regenerating beyond the confines of traditional districts.
Piedmontese companies occupy a relatively strong position in the Italian AI ecosystem, with an excellent research base, the presence of major industrial players driving innovation, and a structured business support system worth over one hundred million in public and private investments, plus licensing costs. We also have the Turin headquarters of AI4I, a crucial element for raising awareness of the importance of concrete investments in AI, which will bring significant benefits in terms of efficiency, quality, and innovative capacity—a transformative potential largely unexplored,” he states. Andrea Amalberto, president of Confindustria Piemonte.
In Piedmont, the share of those investing in interconnected machinery is increasing.
Analyzing the data of the Monitoring investments and innovation A study conducted by Unioncamere Piemonte shows that 2025 marked a year of recovery, and that investments in this scenario involved 30% of companies. Chemicals, food, electricity, and electronics are the sectors with the highest propensity to invest. Looking at the sectors chosen to develop thanks to investments, the percentage of those who have invested in interconnected machinery is increasingRenewable energy plants are doing well, thanks also to the Industry 4.0 incentives that ended in December, with 14,8% of survey respondents investing in research and development.
Asti has proven to be the province with the greatest propensity for investments, with 37,8% of companies making this choice last year, followed by Cuneo, Vercelli, and Turin. Financing channels remained stable, confirming a significant gap in innovation capacity between small and large companies, with the latter clearly taking the lead, with peaks exceeding 80%. Looking further at innovation, the average expenditure was 7,4% of turnover, with the transportation sector taking the lead. This primarily concerned processes, organization, and product, with a particular focus on greater energy and water savings and environmental impact.
The share of companies using AI is expected to rise to 68%
Looking then at the report on 'The integration of Artificial Intelligence in Piedmontese companies' produced by the Research Centre of the Turin Industrial Union on the input of Confindustria Piemonte, It is above all the tertiary sector that is running, with over 60% of companies having already integrated Artificial Intelligence into their processesArtificial intelligence is used by companies primarily in three areas: business data analytics, production process automation, and customer service. This is followed by quality control and predictive maintenance, then marketing and research and development. The most tangible effect is the automation of repetitive tasks, cited in 23% of cases.
Cost reduction is then indicated (18%), followed by the improvement of quality and/or customization of the products/services offered and the benefits in terms of innovation and creativity (14%). For these elements, the share of companies that expect to have effects in the future is between 55% and 68%. It is worth highlighting the modest impact on employment levels of companies, only 9% of companies expect it. Among the difficulties in applying AI, companies report a lack of the necessary in-house skills (43%), approximately a third of companies complain about the high costs of related technologies or services. Among the most widely used generative AI tools is Chat GPT, while 10,6% use internally developed systems, and 8,6% use cloud platforms with integrated GenAI capabilities.
The statements of the protagonists
"The data presented today confirms that investments in innovation, digital, and Artificial Intelligence are a necessary condition for the growth and competitiveness of Piedmontese companies. They are aware of the strategic value of technology, but need support both in terms of skills and access to investment. UniCredit has always been committed to supporting businesses with dedicated financial solutions, advisory services, and ecosystem initiatives that foster the adoption of Artificial Intelligence as a driver of sustainable development, productivity, and long-term value creation," he stated. Paola Garibotti, Regional Manager North West UniCredit.
Paul Melone, Head of Foreign Development and Business Internationalization at Banca dei Territori Intesa Sanpaolo, states: "Our SMEs are facing a fast-paced, uncertain, and ever-changing environment, and Intesa Sanpaolo supports them by promoting investment and competitive development, with a sustainable approach. In 2025, we provided €3,2 billion in medium- and long-term credit to the Piedmont region, a 22% increase over the previous year. Today, we continue to focus our contribution on access to credit, investment in innovation, and attention to foreign markets, offering SMEs the right tools to meet current challenges. In this regard, we believe it is crucial to focus on competitiveness, providing various solutions dedicated to innovation and digitalization, also to seize the opportunities presented by hyper-depreciation."
