Data & Decision Intelligence

Data Management & Analytics market in Italy, Big Data and Analytics applications and technology trends for businesses and the PS with research data from the Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory of the POLIMI School of Management.

Goals

Activities

Work Group

Supporters

Objectives of the Observatory

The Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory aims to highlight the strategic value of leveraging data by applying Artificial Intelligence to decision-making processes. With an open community comprising business executives and Data & AI Officers from leading Italian companies, the Observatory has established itself as a point of reference for those seeking to enhance corporate competitiveness and performance, through a research project that also aims to highlight success stories and innovative experiences in this field.

Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory Research

The Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory is focused on portraying and understanding the status of Data Management, Analytics & AI in Italy. In particular, it aims to:

Analyze technological developments in the field of Data & AI, assessing their implications for organizations.
Identify the decision-making processes most impacted by Data & AI technologies across various sectors and business processes, investigating the applications that generate the greatest benefits (particularly for CFOs).
Quantify and analyze the Data & AI market in Italy, identifying current trends, also at international level.
Explore the role of the Chief Data & AI Officer and Data Expert in corporate evolution, support the emergence of the Chief Decision Officer in Italy, and contribute to Data & AI Literacy strategies within Italian organizations.
Define enterprise strategies to achieve AI-ready status, that is, support companies in securing the resources needed to introduce Artificial Intelligence technologies.

Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory Research is based on an empirical analysis that through surveys and case studies every year involves over a thousand players including IT Managers (CIOs), Digital and Innovation Managers, Analytics Managers, and business line Executives of companies and Public Sector bodies operating in Italy and supply sector business organization representatives

Advisory Board

To foster ongoing debate and focus Research on the most valuable trends for companies, the Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory has established a small steering committee consisting of high-level Data Science professionals from the Data Management & Analytics fields, representing large organizations from major industries.

The Advisory Board members of the edition are:

Andrea Benedos (Manager of AI, Machine Learning & Automation Services, SNAM)
Pietro Biassoni (Data Officer & Head of Operations Advanced Analytics, Allianz)
Gaspare Biondo (Global Data Reporting & Analytics, Campari Group)
Roberto Calandrini (Group Chief Data, AI & Technology Officer, Yard Reaas)
Silvia Castellanza (CDO | Dirigente Area Interoperabilità del Dato, Comune di Milano)
Lorenzo Cavicchi (IT Manager, Lamborghini)
Alessandra Chiuderi (Data & AI Advisory, Generali)
Mattia Cinquilli (Data & Analytics Director, Sky)
Ivan Danesi (Data Innovation Lead, Unicredit)
Daniele De Vita (Chief Analytics Officer, BNP Paribas Cardif)
Stefano Gatti (Head of Data & Analytics, Nexi)
Arturo Gatto (Head of Data: Platform Delivery & Governance CoE, ENI)
Francesco Giordano (Head of Data Technology, Analytics & BI Solutions, Generali Asset Management)
Fabio Iannello (Group Head of AI & Digital Innovation, Duferco)
Michele Lancellotti (Head of Data Science & AI, RCS)
Luca Mancini (Head of Data Science, Agos)
Vincenzo Manzoni (Data Science Director, Tenaris)
Daniela Nigro (Principal Data Product Manager, Zalando)
Michele Pacifico (Global Analytics Senior Manager, Nestlé)
Alessandro Panebianco (Head of Customer and Business Analytics, Enel X)
Ivan Pavesio (Global Innovation BI & Analytics, Ferrero)
Alessandro Pepe (Responsabile Document Management & Data Governance, CDP)
Luca Piccicuto (Head of Data Science, Costa Crociere)
Mirco Righetti (Business Intelligence & Data Analytics, Oniverse)
Davide Tornatore (Chief Data Officer, A2A)
Michele Vespasiani (Platforms Lead | Commercial Data & Insights EMEA, Zimmer Biomet)

The list is being updated and may change.

Activities

Activities planned by the Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory as part of Research include:

A survey extended to small and large Italian organizations in all industries, involving over a eight hundred stakeholders, including Chief Data Officers (CDOs), heads of Analytics, and IT managers (CIOs).
Develop frameworks and methodologies to support companies pursuing the roadmap to a Data Driven Enterprise.
Multiple case studies of companies that adopted Data & AI solutions, aiming to highlight the main benefits resulting from adoption
An analysis of the leading emerging companies operating in the Data & AI sector and the key performance indicators of public and private companies in this field.
Events
The events scheduled for the Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory edition are:
Two closed-door workshops with representatives of supply and user companies, intended to promote discussion and debate on the world of Data Management & Data Analytics; the meetings will investigate the following topics in depth:
- How Decision Intelligence can help organizations transform data into decisions that really make a difference.
- How AI governance influences decision-making processes, focusing on the protection of sensitive data, the central role of humans, and platform vulnerabilities (this workshop will be held in collaboration with the Cybersecurity & Data Protection Observatory).
A Business & Data Talk—a closed-door meeting— designed to foster conversation and debate between Data & AI leaders and end-user businesses. Each year, the event will target a different business community; in 2026, it will focus on the Finance sector.
An open event – available in streaming – to update and discuss issues related to the use of data for social purposes (opportunity analysis and the challenges of open data, exploring the potential impact of data on society and public services).
A gathering reserved for the Advisory Board and key supply-side representatives, aimed at discussing and validating the Research results.
An Innovation Challenge—an open event— designed to present to the community solutions developed by supporters that address the innovation challenges companies will face in the coming years.
The public Conference to present Research activity results, with panel discussions and presentations by key players from the business world, and representatives of the Data Management, Analytics & AI, solution providers, supporters of the Observatory.
Content
The Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory will develop the following content:
A digital Report with main Observatory Research results to be handed out at the Conference.
A series of digital Reports on topics examined throughout the year of Research.
A periodic Newsletter addressed to supporters and community companies, collecting the most important news on Data Management, Analytics & AI in the international and Italian scenario.
A combination of static and interactive charts analyzing the market and the maturity of Italian organizations in Data & AI, also based on primary data from the Observatory.
A set of insights on current topics of interest regarding Data & AI.

Become a supporter of the Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory

The Data & Decision Intelligence Observatory is supported by several sector partner and sponsor companies. Take part in the Research, access Observatory exclusive data before anyone else, network with companies and qualified experts and gain visibility in our events.

For more information please contact Alessandro Piva at alessandro.piva@polimi.it.