Innovation Arena Stage

Ideas and stories from startups, VCs, and innovators:an arena for direct exchange, where emerging ideas and innovation models are shaping the AI ecosystem.
Note: The program is still being finalized and may be subject to changes.

Innovation Arena

Ideas and stories from startups, VCs, and innovators:
an arena for direct exchange, where emerging ideas and innovation models are shaping the AI ecosystem.
21 JANUARY
22 JANUARY
21 jan 08:30
21 jan 13:30
22 jan 09:30
22 jan 13:30
21 jan
AI is a general-purpose technology, and gaining real competitive advantage means moving beyond isolated experiments to structural reinvention. This keynote explores how leading organizations redesign workflows, operating models, and value creation around AI. You’ll learn practical principles to move from vision to execution, accelerate transformation in 90 days, and build the governance and systems needed to scale AI safely and sustainably.
21 jan 11:30 - 11:50
20 min
The roundtable will allow us to explore how to build trust in intelligent and autonomous systems. In a landscape driven by innovation and increasing automation, with the rise of Agentic AI, trust becomes the central resource: how can we ensure transparency, reliability, and control when algorithms no longer merely suggest but begin to act? What new risks emerge, and what responsibilities must institutions, developers, and users take on?
21 jan 12:00 - 12:20
20 min
The panel explores how new entrepreneurial initiatives are created, tested and scaled. Through real-world cases and direct experiences, it will examine how agentic AI is transforming insight generation, concept validation, team building and the day-to-day operations of early-stage startups. A practical discussion on the opportunities, limitations and organizational impacts of this new era of venture creation.
21 jan 12:20 - 12:40
20 min
A conversation to understand how to balance human intuition and algorithmic power in a new era of investing. The panel will explore how AI can become a true strategic partner for investors, enabling faster and more accurate data-driven decisions.
21 jan 12:50 - 13:10
20 min
The emergence of autonomous AI agents marks a paradigm shift: for the first time, artificial systems can make decisions and act without direct human supervision. This autonomy raises unprecedented legal and operational questions that every startup must address to mitigate real risks.This panel explores the practical challenges of implementing autonomous agents. We’re not talking about technological hype, but about how to build systems that are safe, traceable, and compliant when the rules of the game are still emerging.We will tackle three critical questions. When an AI agent makes an improper decision, who is legally responsible? How can full traceability of actions be ensured for agents operating in real time, making hundreds of decisions per day? What kill switch mechanisms allow stopping a misbehaving agent while balancing autonomy and safety?
21 jan 14:30 - 15:00
30 min
Autonomous agents are transforming how startups grow: commercial pipelines, R&D, cybersecurity, on-demand content, automated governance and compliance. How to integrate agentic systems into core processes: from content and threat analysis to the creation of personalized micro-courses and the automation of strategic data analysis. A panel designed for those who want to push their startup into a new phase of efficiency, execution speed and operational scalability through advanced agentic systems. Join a practical, founder-to-founder discussion on: which processes can already be agentized today (and which will be in the next 6–12 months); what it takes to design and orchestrate hybrid human + agent teams; how agents are reshaping media intelligence, cybersecurity, edtech and data-driven consulting; and which capabilities founders need to truly leverage Agentic AI.
21 jan 15:00 - 15:20
20 min
How do you build a competitive advantage when AI becomes an autonomous agent? A practical journey into AI that supports both those who design the future (R&D) and those who manage the present (Operations). Together with B4I – Bocconi for Innovation, we explore two crucial stages of the corporate value chain. QGrain, the platform that reduces risks and R&D timelines by providing market intelligence and automated compliance checks for new products. ProcederAI, which transforms operations by converting videos and actions into standardized procedures and interactive training.
21 jan 15:20 - 15:40
20 min
AI is introducing a new operational paradigm across the food value chain: digital agents capable of making autonomous decisions, adapting to data, and coordinating complex processes in real time. From demand planning to quality management, from logistics to sustainability, this evolution promises to make the supply chain more efficient, resilient and transparent. The panel explores concrete application cases and the impact on producers, startups and major brands.
21 jan 15:40 - 16:20
40 min
Small and medium enterprises make up over 90% of the Italian production ecosystem, acting as the vital core of industrial districts and local economies. This roundtable explores how, with the introduction of Agentic AI, these companies can now access technologies that were once reserved for large enterprises due to the significant investments and dedicated teams required.