Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Two-thirds of Italian SMEs have not adopted AI in a structured way
A survey of more than 200 small and medium-sized businesses in Italy found that two-thirds have not adopted AI in a structured way.
The businesses studied work in machinery, food and agriculture, and the Motor Valley; only 4% use AI to evolve their business model.
Another 45% leave AI use to individual employees, while 21% do not use it at all.
A lack of skills is the biggest barrier, cited by half of the businesses, and seven in ten do not train their staff.
Companies currently use AI mainly for marketing and data analysis, but many expect to apply it more to automation and logistics.
Forty-five per cent of businesses not yet using AI plan to start within two years.
Nomisma says businesses that combine technology with skills and organisational change could gain an advantage over those that wait.
Two-thirds of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises have not adopted artificial intelligence in a structured way, a Nomisma study supported by UniCredit found.
The study surveyed more than 200 businesses in the mechanical, agri-food and Motor Valley supply chains.
Only 4% use AI to evolve their business model, while 21% do not use it at all.
A lack of skills is the main barrier for half of the companies surveyed, and seven in ten do not train their staff.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto said the gap between large companies and SMEs is a priority to address.
- Who
- Italian small and medium-sized enterprises surveyed by Nomisma, with support from UniCredit.
- What
- The study found that two-thirds have not adopted AI in a structured way.
- When
- The findings were discussed at the Ai.Dea forum on 16 and 17 October 2026.
- Where
- The study covered businesses in Italy’s mechanical, agri-food and Motor Valley supply chains. The forum was held in Castel San Pietro Terme.
- Why
- A lack of skills is the main obstacle for 50% of the SMEs surveyed. Other cited barriers include unclear benefits and systems that do not communicate.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first Ai.Dea Forum took place in Castel San Pietro Terme.
Corriere della Sera published the report on the Nomisma study.
- Survey size
- More than 200 SMEs
- Structured AI adoption
- Two-thirds have not adopted AI in a structured way
- Business-model use
- 4% use AI to evolve their business model
- No AI use
- 21% do not use AI at all
- Main obstacle
- Lack of skills, cited by 50% of SMEs
What people are saying
This gap is the priority to address.
AI represents a real paradigm shift, destined to profoundly change the way businesses define their business models, organise work, manage data and make decisions.
Companies that know how to integrate technology, skills and organisation will build a competitive advantage that will be difficult to recover. Those that remain on the sidelines risk losing ground.