AI OPERATIONS

Michele Bonfiglioli, with more than 30 years of experience, has led lean and digital industrial transformation projects, establishing himself as a reference for manufacturing innovation in Italy. Since 2009 at the helm of Bonfiglioli Consulting, he has expanded the group's presence internationally, opening its first office in the U.S., and founded the Lean Factory School, a training center of excellence on Lean principles. His strategic vision and established experience make him a leading figure in industrial consulting.

Marco Brandalesi has gained more than 20 years' experience in multinational companies covering roles of increasing responsibility up to General Manager. Today he is Principal Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Operational Excellence in Bonfiglioli Consulting where he is responsible for projects in national and international contexts and contributes to the continuous updating of practice and delivery standards by developing innovative ideas and methods within the Group. He is a speaker at events in the academic and business fields on topics related to Operational Excellence and Scientific Director of the Benchmarking Study | What's next in Operations?

Ranieri Niccoli has been Chief Manufacturing Officer at Automobili Lamborghini since 2008 and is a member of the company's Board of Management. Born in Bologna on November 12, 1968, he graduated in Aeronautics Engineering from La Sapienza University in Rome in 1995. He began his career at Fiat Automobili and held key roles in other manufacturing companies, gaining deep expertise in engineering and production. His leadership has supported Lamborghini's growth and innovation. He married Francesca in 2000 and has three children.

He is a global best-selling author and Distinguished Professor at Bologna Business School. He sits on the boards of companies in technology, manufacturing, media, education, human capital, health care and cybersecurity.

He served as Distinguished Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and Senior Fellow at Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs. During the Obama administration, he served as Innovation Advisor to the Secretary of State and was part of the Obama-Biden presidential transition team.

Awards received include:

• U.S. Department of State Distinguished Honor Award
• Oxford University Internet & Society Award
• Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy Magazine
• Massimiliano Dona Award from the National Consumers Union, for his commitment to the frontier of change, his looking to the future and his step into the reality of a world that, in order to change, cannot betray the trust of consumers.

Paolo Denti was Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Benetton Sportsystem in the U.S., General Manager of Nordica, Board member of Tecnica Group in China, Japan and the U.S., Managing Director of Thun SpA, and in 2019 started entrepreneurial ventures in fintech.

Different experiences, but linked by a common thread: "seeking the connection between digital and human, combining a passion for emotional intelligence with artificial intelligence."

Since 2020, he has shared experience with Fabio Puglia at Oversonic Robotics, a company specializing in the design and construction of cognitive humanoid robots.

Michele Ambrogio, PhD in chemical engineering education. 25 years of experience in quality and project management within Michelin. Quality Manager first in semi-finished and then finished product (tires and inner tubes) with the management of several projects aimed at improving productivity and quality both at site, Italy and international level for the Michelin group. He has held the position of Innovation Manager since 2024.

Full Professor of Mechanics of Solids and Structures, he was Rector of Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna from 2015 to 2021. He is currently President of CINECA and IFAB (Foundation Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Human Development) and Vice President of the Italian Research Center on High Performance Computing, Big Data and Quantum Computing - ICSC. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of Nomisma.

Alessandra Benedetti leads the global digital transformation at SCM Group, a leading multinational manufacturer of industrial machinery for wood, plastic, composite, glass, marble and metal. With more than 20 years of industry experience, including 7 years in the United States, she promotes the integration of advanced AI technologies and innovative servitization models. She is a PhD student and MBA with honorable mention at SDA Bocconi, Board Member of Digital Industries World, Member of the Scientific Committee of H-Farm Business School and Part of the Advisory Committee of the Master in AI and Innovation Management at BBS - Bologna Business School.

Nico Losito is IBM Technology vice president for Italy, the business unit that encompasses Software, Hardware, Cloud, Security, and Technical Professional Services. IBM Technology Unit is the heart of IBM and its mission is to drive the future of digital transformation by leveraging AI and Hybrid Cloud technologies.

Previously, Nico held several leadership roles in IBM EMEA, such as leading the integration of the acquired Red Hat into IBM and the Vice President responsibility in leading the Medium and Small Business market segment in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In IBM Italy it has been Software and Cloud Director, heading more than 100 cross-industry specialists and established Italy's first IBM Garage in Milan.

He also served in the role of Chief Digital Officer with a mission to drive digital transformation for Italian businesses, after many years of IT consulting experience on IBM Italy's large clients, particularly in the areas of Oil & Gas and Energy & Utilities.

For five years, he was president and CEO of InTeSa SpA., an IBM Group company that provides end-to-end digitization solutions; AgID-accredited Certification Authority, SPID public provider, enabled at the European level as a Qualified Trust Service Provider (eIDAS) and leader in the Italian market

December 2021, founded and leads the Italian Leaders & Tech community, a very exclusive group of leaders who have a strong focus on Technology and Innovation issues; an Italian network of visionaries who have a desire to share and create ideas and opportunities for value, progress and development.

He holds a degree in business administration from theBocconi University of Milan, achieved theMBA in London and certification as a Sales Leader in INSEAD in Fontainebleau.

Nico is passionate about Mixology and is a founding member of MILAN Distillery, an up-and-comer in the world of non-alcoholic distilling and creator of the Metaverse's first non-alcoholic gin.

Edoardo D'Elia is Professor of Writing and Argumentation at the University of Bologna and of Public Speaking at the Bologna Business School.

His academic career is complemented by collaborations as a presenter and moderator in in-person and digital events.

He is the author of books including. Speaking. Tools and techniques of speech, Hoepli (2020) and podcasts such as: The Snack Podcast, the first podcast show exploring the world of art, culture and creativity.