Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft, who was at the Milan Politecnico for “Ambizione Italia: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills, Looking into the Future of Work”, presented Ambizione Italia for Schools, a new initiative by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale to ready students for the jobs of the future.
The project will involve 250,000 students aged 12-18 and 20,000 teachers from around Italy (80% from the more disadvantaged areas in Italy) in experiential labs on artificial intelligence and robotics. The students will also participate in production labs, hackathons and creativity marathons. The courses will be held in 37 hubs in 14 Italian Regions.
“At Microsoft we have always been committed to helping students acquire the digital skills that are necessary to face the jobs of the future and understand the ethical, political and social impact of new technological trends. Ambizione Italia is an important project that aims to promote both of these objectives, to transform today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders,” commented Brad Smith.
“It is estimated that, by 2020, the ICT sector will provide 135,000 new positions for which there will be no qualified professionals. Thus, it is indispensable to invest in advanced education and help our young men and women to acquire the functional and transversal skills that are essential for the working world. The first results are very encouraging! We are headed in the right direction!” points out Silvia Candiani, CEO, Microsoft Italy.
Moreover, a couple of projects that have already distinguished themselves for creativity and innovation were presented. Students at IIS Cipriano Facchinetti in Castellanza, Varese developed Good Morning, a glove that translates sign language into spoken language through sensors that analyse hand movements. In Avellino, students at the Liceo Pasquale Stanislao Mancini created Floatalyzer, a floating platform that aims to monitor and fight river pollution by analysing the water in real-time, identifying pollutants and archiving the data. Students at IIS Leonardo Da Vinci in Rome devised Ciutech, an intelligent pacifier, that monitors the baby’s body temperature and analyses health conditions through saliva.
"School will always play a crucial role in the digital transformation of the country by introducing students to technology. We intend to promote this through concrete experiences and labs based on digital skills and, in particular, on artificial intelligence, with a specific attention to geographical areas far from cities and that provide fewer opportunities to young men and women,” explains Mirta Michilli, Director General, Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
Press Release [pdf]
