Artificial Intelligence: Managing New Opportunities

EIMA International highlights AI advancements, with rising investments worldwide. Europe's growth lags behind the US and China, while Italy’s market grew from €218 million in 2018 to €710 million in 2023.

Bologna, Italy - At EIMA International, the meeting "AI: The Prospects of Industry" featured representatives from CEMA (The European Committee of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers), the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and major manufacturers like John Deere and CNH.

Mr. Giampaolo Barbieri, CEO of Barbieri srl and member of the Presidential Council of FederUnacoma, said, "With artificial intelligence you can't wait and see what happens. We need to be active, because we are facing a revolution, similar to the one that occurred with the advent of the Internet".

Artificial intelligence has made remarkable progress, with a wide range of applications in agriculture. On the field, AI-powered visual recognition helps identify phytopathological issues or irrigation deficiencies, enabling prompt action. AI-equipped robots can automate harvesting, and further down the production line, AI is used for sorting in the fruit and vegetable sector and optimizing packaging processes.

Barbieri believes AI is not just for industrial giants but a valuable opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses. He cited a study showing that companies using AI have more than doubled their chances of growth and revenue. AI boosts efficiency, decision-making, and productivity, making it a key driver for both businesses and manufacturers.

AI growth in Italy is reflected in steadily rising market figures. From €210 million in 2018, it grew to €300 million in 2020, €500 million in 2022, and reached €760 million in 2023, marking a 52% increase from the previous year.

Mr. Marko Bertogna, Full Professor of Physical, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at Unimore, said, “It is never too late to invest and there are still opportunities for expansion. But it is worth remembering that the top ten companies in terms of investment in this high-tech sector are all American or Chinese”. Bertogna emphasizes that there are several mature products in the agricultural mechanization sector, for example on the autonomous driving front. EIMA International 2024 is the mirror of evolution in progress.