On April 22 2026, AI4I took part in “ForgIA: from data to value in machine tools”, held at MADE Competence Center Industria 4.0 in Milan and organised by Assolombarda, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and MADE. The initiative provided a concrete platform to position AI4I’s role across the full value chain of industrial AI: from enabling infrastructure to real-world adoption.
The event brought together a broad ecosystem of industrial, technological and research actors, confirming the growing centrality of artificial intelligence for the machine tool sector—one of the technological backbones of manufacturing systems. At the core of the discussion was a key industrial challenge: transforming the vast amount of data generated across production processes into tangible value through shared, secure and interoperable models.
Within this framework, ForgIA—promoted by Assolombarda as an Industrial Data Ecosystem—aims to enable the development and deployment of AI across manufacturing value chains, creating the conditions for scalable and systemic adoption.
The meeting featured contributions from leading representatives of industry and academia. Institutional remarks were delivered by Alvise Biffi (President of Assolombarda), Davide Della Bella (Director General of UCIMU – SISTEMI PER PRODURRE) and Marco Taisch (President of MADE Competence Center Industria 4.0).
Subsequent interventions explored the technological and operational evolution of the sector. Massimiliano Annoni (Politecnico di Milano) highlighted how ontologies, large language models and machine vision are already enabling concrete optimisation of industrial processes. Viviana Palmieri (Assolombarda) presented ForgIA and its vision for an integrated industrial data ecosystem, while Davide Polotto and Antonella Belfatto (MADE) illustrated the operational role of the Competence Center in supporting companies along their digital transformation journeys.
AI4I’s contribution was articulated across multiple levels, reflecting its systemic approach to industrial AI. Antonio Emilio Calegari, Director of AI4I, opened the institutional segment. Stefano Cavallari, Head of Deployment Unit, presented the Institute and outlined the potential of artificial intelligence with a specific focus on applications for machine tool manufacturers. Fiorenza Succu, Chief Evangelist, provided an in-depth perspective on the System for User Knowledge (SUK), positioning it as a strategic platform for matchmaking between industrial demand and AI solution providers, and as a concrete instrument to bridge technological gaps and accelerate adoption.
A key highlight of AI4I’s participation was the first public presentation of a SUK provider, marking a relevant step in the operationalisation of the platform. Neuratio, through its CEO Luca Dadone, showcased an applied AI solution for ticket servicing automation. The use case demonstrated how service functions can evolve from cost centres into sources of competitive advantage, freeing technical resources for higher-value activities while ensuring continuity and preservation of corporate know-how.
AI4I’s engagement within ForgIA is fully aligned with its mission: making artificial intelligence transferable, scalable and effectively adoptable within the production system. In this perspective, ForgIA represents a further building block in the development of a collaborative ecosystem where data, technologies and competences converge to accelerate innovation and competitiveness in Italian manufacturing.
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