"ChatGPT is just one of the many technologies currently on the market and which has certainly had a great media resonance for the conversational nature of its approach. In addition to generative AI tools, we are also seeing the proliferation of various pilot projects related to machine learning, computer vision, recommendation systems and predictive analytics. These are used to optimize business processes, personalize user experiences, increase the reliability of strategic decisions and create innovative solutions to solve complex challenges."
La Fondazione Agire aims to promote and spread innovation and technological development of existing economic activities or new startups, aiming to increase regional competitiveness and create highly qualified jobs: it is clear that AI is now «clearly one of the central themes for our foundation and companies», he continues. «Our approach is mainly driven by curiosity and innovation, but we try to be open to understanding the ethical and social implications of AI. We strongly believe in its potential to improve the quality of life and work processes, but we are also aware of its challenges, such as data security and labor market disruptions».
When we ask Barni in which sectors and for what purposes artificial intelligence is currently used in Ticino, he gives numerous examples. It is used, essentially, in the banking world for risk analysis, fraud prevention and customer service automation; in the business world to optimize the supply chain, improve customer service and personalize offers; in the medical world to help with diagnosis, personalize treatments and analyze large amounts of health data; in the industrial world to increase the efficiency of production lines, predict maintenance and optimize energy management; in the educational world to personalize learning, automate administration and analyze student performance. For each branch, new and growing skills are inevitably needed.
How are Ticino companies implementing their skills, thanks to verticalized experts or by training internal figures, who will add AI applications to their current tasks? Before being able to answer this question, Barni wants to start from a premise, namely that before acting on artificial intelligence, each company must work on another process: «Many of the companies we deal with today are immersed in a deep digitalization process, which represents the fundamental step to enable the implementation of future artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This journey towards digitalization is the way that makes it possible to modernize infrastructures, introduce business optimization and, ultimately, exploit the exciting opportunities related to AI. Digitalization is often a preliminary necessity to the adoption of AI». Therefore, «once the digital foundations have been set, which therefore allow the data to be available through which AI algorithms work, companies begin to implement specific initiatives in the field of AI, in which specific artificial intelligence applications are adopted to support particular areas or business functions».
The situation is varied: «Some companies are understanding the importance and the need to have specific roles dedicated to these activities. And yet, it is very dependent on the type of company and the amount of resources it can deploy», underlines Barni, who proudly specifies that «at an institutional level there is certainly a certain movement in filling the training needs in this area. SUPSI offers various specialized training opportunities, such as the Master of Science in Engineering in Data Science and the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, while at USI there is the first Master in Artificial Intelligence, an interdisciplinary program that will prepare students to solve complex problems in many application fields of artificial intelligence. Finally, ATED collaborates with Formati Academy to offer professional courses in Cyber Security Specialist and Digital collaboration Specialist».
Beyond the possibilities it will open up, one wonders what the possible repercussions will be in terms of jobs. "Artificial intelligence is seen by many as a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it offers the potential to bring significant benefits, improving efficiency, optimizing processes and creating new job opportunities in emerging sectors. On the other hand, however, there is concern that it could replace workers in certain tasks, especially repetitive or routine ones, which could lead to job losses," confirms the expert, who sees "broad and multidimensional benefits. For example, AI can assist in healthcare, improving diagnosis and personalizing care; in manufacturing, it can increase efficiency and reduce waste; in the service sector, it can improve the customer experience through personalized services. Furthermore, it can help solve complex problems, such as climate change and resource management, through advanced analysis and modeling."
But on the other hand, Andrea Barni cites a Goldman Sachs report according to which it could, in the next few years, replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs and influence about a quarter of work tasks in the United States and Europe. However, he wants to highlight another side of the coin: «However, this change is closely linked to the creation of new jobs. It is clear that, in order to integrate and manage the new complexity of AI systems and tools, the integration of a new class of workers with digital skills updated to current challenges is necessary, as well as continuous training for existing figures. Personally, I am convinced that, as has already happened in other historical periods, we will be able to seize the opportunities and adapt the socio-economic context to the entry of these new disruptive technologies, evolving the work and consumption model». A crucial challenge, for Ticino and beyond, for the next decades.
