Daniele Gammelli – MIRA Lab
The AI4I Head of Physical AI & Autonomous Systems discusses Europe’s technological strategy, industrial competitiveness and the role of advanced research on Zapping.
Europe faces a strategic choice in artificial intelligence: how to remain competitive in frontier AI while investing in technologies capable of transforming its industrial base. This was the focus of the interview with Daniele Gammelli, Head of Physical AI & Autonomous Systems and Director of the MIRA Lab at the Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI4I), broadcast on 11 November 2026 on Zapping, the Rai Radio 1 programme hosted by Giancarlo Loquenzi.
Against the backdrop of the European debate ahead of the Dublin summit, Gammelli challenged the idea that Europe must choose between developing frontier AI models and concentrating its resources on industrial applications.
“Abandoning frontier AI altogether would expose Europe to excessive risks,” he argued, pointing to the danger of increasing technological dependence on non-European providers and weakening the continent’s research capabilities and infrastructure.
At the same time, competing with the United States and China by simply replicating their investment strategies may not be Europe’s most effective option. The opportunity lies in anticipating the next technological wave: Physical AI, where artificial intelligence interacts with the physical world through robotics, autonomous systems and industrial automation.
Europe’s industrial strengths as a competitive advantage
Europe’s established expertise in mechanical engineering, automation, robotics and complex industrial systems provides a strong foundation for developing Physical AI technologies.
According to Gammelli, this field offers significant opportunities for European industry, with technological and computational requirements that differ from those associated with training large frontier foundation models.
The challenge is to determine the right balance of investment: preserving European capabilities in frontier AI while directing substantial resources towards areas where the continent can establish a distinctive competitive position.
AI4I: connecting advanced research with industrial adoption
During the interview, Gammelli also outlined AI4I’s approach to developing an integrated ecosystem for artificial intelligence.
The Institute combines advanced research, including its work on Physical AI and autonomous systems, with computing infrastructure such as the Peano AI Foundry, services connecting business needs with technological solutions through SUK – System User Knowledge, and education and training activities through its Academy.
For Gammelli, Italy already possesses internationally recognised research capabilities and industrial excellence. The priority is to strengthen connections among universities, research institutions and companies, creating the conditions to translate scientific progress into industrial applications.
