AAA wanted Artificial Intelligence. Despite the potential, the Italian companies, especially SMEs, they still use Artificial Intelligence very little (AI).
Only the 2% of SMEs with at least 10 employees invested in IT between 2019 and 2021, while this percentage rises to 10% if we consider the investment in AI together with that in Big Data, which is fundamental for the adoption of technology.
This is what emerged during the workshop “Ecological and digital transition, employment policies and businesses” organized by Inapp, the national institute for the analysis of public policies, in which the data from the VI Business and Work Survey (RIL), conducted in 2022 on a representative sample of approximately 30 thousand Italian companies, were presented.
Artificial intelligence: it is still at the beginning in Italian SMEs
THEuse artificial intelligence varies greatly based on the size of the company, its geographical location and the sector in which it operates. For example, only 1,5% of small companies (less than 50 employees) use Artificial Intelligence versus 12% of companies with more than 250 employees. In the high-tech services sector, 7% adopt AI, while in lower-skilled services this percentage is only 1,2%.
The research results highlight that the spread of artificial intelligence, with all that it entails, not only is it in its infancy but it also reflects a strong complementarity with other digital technologies and therefore a substantial heterogeneity of our entrepreneurial system, confirming the urgency of governing this change to prevent it from further accelerating the productive and competitive inequalities that are recorded in our productive fabric.
Fadda: “SMEs lack culture and skills. They know that AI exists but not how to use it”
“While in our country we are still discussing artificial intelligence between 'apocalyptic and integrated', i main competitors they invest with conviction in this area which is destined to improve production processes and work organisation. To date the first gap that characterizes SMEs is undoubtedly the lack of culture and skills in the field: they know that Artificial Intelligence exists but they still don't know how to use it to improve their performance. For many it is about start right from the basics, or rather from digital transformation and the use of "big data". The combination with investments in training and related technologies necessary for the development and application of AI neutralizes fears about the destruction of jobs that could result" said the professor Sebastian Fadda, president of Inapp.
The impact of artificial intelligence on work
The research also shows that investments in artificial intelligence alone they have no impact significant on job application. But, when the investment in AI is combined with investments in Big Data and Robotics, a slight is observed increase (+0,7%) in the request for jobs.
Artificial Intelligence is correlated with a notable increase in spending on business-funded professional training, even when looking at AI alone (+13%). This suggests that at the moment the transformation linked to this new technology is taking place mainly within companies, in their reorganization processes, rather than in the labor market.
“This is why it is essential to have a strategic vision that allows for accelerate and strengthen business investments, strengthen digital skills from school to the world of work and acquire greater awareness and knowledge of the potential of AI – concluded the president of INAPP – But the creation of an organic strategy requires a coherent system of incentives and strong coordination with the policies of structural change of our production system. The Pnrr contains more than one encouraging signal in this direction, but a great effort is needed to implement it."
