After a first day dedicated to the role of artificial intelligence in health and industry, EmTech Italy 2026 continues with a focus on systemic implications of technological innovation. At the centre of the second day, the contribution of the Nobel Prize in Economics Philippe Aghion and a broad reflection on sustainability, work, energy transition, and quantum technologies.
Organized by MIT Technology Review together withUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and hosted in the spaces of Cu.Bo, the event confirmed the paradigm of the "Tech for Humanity" as the common thread of the entire edition. To open this second day of work, the speaker spoke Philippe Aghion, Nobel Prize in Economics 2025, which has ofchiarahave: Artificial Intelligence has enormous potential for growth and even job creation, but everything will depend on the institutions we put in place. Europe has everything it takes to win this challenge because it embodies unique values: freedom, democracy, a solid social model, and a deep focus on climate change. I tell our entrepreneurs that the future belongs to them: they hold the key to tomorrow because they are not only creative, but also concerned about the common good, aiming to develop ethical AI that serves workers. Vigorously advancing these values is what makes us unique..
As the day progressed, the debate broadened to include main transformations underway, highlighting how emerging technologies are redefining the economy and society. Particular attention was paid to the contribution of innovation in the transition to sustainable development models, with a focus on resource management, decarbonization, and the redefinition of production systems. At the same time, the transformations of the world of work were discussed, increasingly influenced by the adoption of artificial intelligence and the resulting impact on skills and business organization.
A further area of investigation concerned the energy transition, between the need to accelerate the development of sustainable infrastructure and the opportunities offered by new technologies to improve the efficiency, resilience, and predictive capacity of energy systems.
Finally, space for the quantum era, with presentations dedicated to the prospects of quantum computing and its potential to redefine strategic areas such as scientific research, data security, and the optimization of complex systems.
Representatives of the academic, institutional and industrial world alternated on the stage with Aghion, including Andrea Rossi, CEO and General Manager ofUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Jeff Grover (MIT), Nicola Ippolito (Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security), Paola Pisano (University of Turin), Ted Hu (MIT Technology Review), and Giorgia Garganese (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart).
"On this second day of EmTech Italy it was truly an honor to host Nobel Prize winner for economics Philippe Aghion - stressed the CEO and DG of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Andrea Rossi - whose contribution offered a particularly clear interpretation: theAI it's a true one "game changer", but its impact will depend on the choices and quality of the institutions we are able to build. Aghion also raised a crucial issue for Europe: it is not the lack of knowledge or research that is holding back growth, but rather the difficulty in transforming it into widespread innovation. Europe produces knowledge, but still struggles to create the conditions for this knowledge to become business, technology, and have a real impact.
"We are living in the midst of great technological changes – he continued Andrea Rossi - and in today's scenario the theme of'adoption of technologies, since the speed of adoption is often much slower than the speed at which technology evolves. The results presented in the first report of theNational Global Health Observatory, made with Intesa Sanpaolo, have clearly highlighted these transformation dynamics and the need to strengthen the connection between research, the production system and social impact. As Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma We feel a strong responsibility to promote innovation that is always at the service of people and oriented toward the common good. It is on this balance—between progress and responsibility—that the quality of the innovation we will build in the coming years depends.".
"This second day also confirmed the value of EmTech Italy as a true thought platform capable of connecting visions, skills and responsibilities diverse around a common goal: directing innovation toward a concrete impact on society. – has ofchiarato Tommaso Canonici, editor of MIT Technology Review Italia The dialogue between international leaders, academia, and industry has made it clear that emerging technologies can no longer be viewed in isolation, but require a systemic approach, in which innovation, sustainability, and skills development feed off each other. It is precisely in this space of dialogue that the ability to transform technological potential into real, measurable, and shared value is built.".
The second day also saw the contribution of the main Partner of the initiative. EmTech Italy 2026 is realized with the support ofIntesa Sanpaolo e Takeda, and represented for theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and the banking group the opportunity to present the first results of the "Tech4GlobalHealth" global health observatory.
Completing the event ecosystem are numerous companies committed to digital and technological transformation, including argenx, A2A, Bracco, Cisco, eFM, Enel, Experis (ManpowerGroup), Federchimica Assobiotec, Gruppo FS, IBM, LB Servizi per le aziende, Poste Italiane and ROAD – Rome Advanced District.
The second Italian edition of EmTech is coordinated by knowledge partners Opinno, ADL Consulting and Buono & Partners.
