On 10 November 2026, Riccardo Di Maria presented AI4I’s integrated model for connecting advanced research, computing infrastructure and industrial applications.
How does artificial intelligence become a competitive asset for industry? The answer increasingly lies in the ability to bring scientific expertise, computing power and industrial applications into a coherent technological system.
On 10 November 2026, Riccardo Di Maria, Head of HPC/AI and Engineering at the Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI4I), took part in the HPE AI Roadshow with NVIDIA, presenting the Institute’s experience during the session dedicated to EEA success stories.
In his presentation, “Frontier AI – A New Infrastructure for Growth”, Di Maria explored how AI4I is addressing one of the central challenges facing European industry: translating scientific excellence into technological capabilities and industrial value.
An integrated model for industrial AI
AI4I brings together applied research laboratories, engineering expertise, advanced computing infrastructure and services supporting companies throughout their AI adoption journey.
This approach connects scientific research with industrial demand, enabling companies to identify technological opportunities, experiment with advanced solutions and develop applications suited to their production environments.
Peano: computing power as an industrial resource
A central component is AI Foundry Peano, AI4I’s high-performance computing infrastructure, equipped with 148 NVIDIA Blackwell and Hopper GPUs.
The platform combines computing resources with specialist engineering support and tailored development environments, enabling companies to test, validate and scale AI applications while maintaining control over data and technological processes.
SUK: connecting industrial demand and technological solutions
The presentation also highlighted SUK – System for User Knowledge, AI4I’s platform connecting companies with qualified AI technology providers.
With 205 providers, 287 solutions and 30 application areas, SUK supports businesses in identifying their needs, selecting suitable technologies and implementing projects, helping reduce the complexity and risks associated with AI investment.
Together with AI4I’s research laboratories, these capabilities form an integrated system designed to accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into industrial applications.
Building Europe’s industrial AI capacity
The Roadshow provided an opportunity to address a broader strategic issue: how Europe can transform advanced AI infrastructure into lasting industrial capability.
For AI4I, this means combining technological autonomy, accessible computing resources and industry-oriented research to strengthen the competitiveness of companies and expand their capacity to develop and adopt frontier AI technologies.
