The third edition of the AI Festival, WMF’s premier event dedicated to artificial intelligence, recently concluded at Bocconi University in Milan. Bringing together over 10,000 global participants, the summit has officially cemented its status as Europe’s leading hub for aligning technology, business, and policy. With 200 speakers and 800 B2B meetings, the 2026 edition moved beyond theoretical hype to define the practical rules of the “Agentic Era.”
A Shift Toward Autonomous Agents
The central theme focused on AI as an integrated “agent” in decision-making and production rather than a mere tool. Cosmano Lombardo, CEO of Search On Media Group, emphasized that the current challenge is systemic, not just technological. He called for a European-centric approach where AI is used with awareness to foster social well-being, backed by solid policy and ethics.
Synergy with EYE4AI: Empowering the Next Generation
This vision of responsible innovation aligns perfectly with the European project EYE4AI (EYE for AI). By focusing on training and empowering young people to understand and shape artificial intelligence, EYE4AI serves as the educational backbone for the “Agentic Era” discussed in Milan. The project promotes a collaborative framework where youth, educators, and industry experts work together to ensure AI development is inclusive and ethically grounded. Much like the festival’s mission, EYE4AI aims to transform passive users into active, conscious protagonists of the digital transition, ensuring that the future workforce is equipped to handle the systemic challenges of global AI governance.
From Human Rights to Humanoids
The plenary sessions showcased a diverse spectrum of innovation:
- Democratic Freedoms: Activist Pegah Moshir Pour discussed AI as a shield for liberty in restrictive contexts like Iran.
- The AI Factory: Dell Technologies’ Marco Fanizzi introduced the “AI Factory” concept to bridge Europe’s competitive gap.
- Physical AI: Daniele Pucci (Generative Bionics) detailed the roadmap for humanoid robots designed to solve demographic and industrial labor shortages.
- Governance: EU AI Act co-rapporteur Brando Benifei and Professor Jae Moon analyzed the balance between regulation and global competitiveness.
Marketplace and Startup Excellence
The festival served as a high-octane B2B accelerator. Over 150 exhibitors showcased solutions in aerospace, martech, and predictive analytics. The startup scene also shone during the “AI for Future” competition. Handy Signs secured the Jury Award for its social impact, while Requrv took the Audience Award. These winners will now head to Silicon Valley, bridging the gap between Italian innovation and global venture capital.
As Milan closes this chapter, the momentum shifts toward WMF 2026 in Bologna this June, where the global ecosystem will meet again to refine the values guiding our digital future.
Dutch