A debate on artificial intelligence impact on work

Valeria Vittimberga Inps General Manager

Rome [ENA] The Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, in partnership with INPS (Italian Institute for Social Security) and INAIL (Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work), convened representatives from various institutions, social partners, academics and businesses in Rome. Their goal has been to share visions strategies experiences and common standards. This initiative fosters open dialogue on the

opportunities and responsibilities of AI adoption in the workplace. February 27, 2026, was dedicated to a day of dialogue exploring the relationship between AI and work. This aligned with ongoing national European and international discussions about the transformations and their governance. The initiative tackled several key issues including developing public strategies establishing international standards and strengthening public trust in AI’s workplace use. This trust can be built through transparency accountability and adequate guarantees. Furthermore the role of institutions social partners and businesses in governing technological innovation at both European and international levels was also a focus.

Starting at 10 a.m. guests will speak at the Hall of the Tempio di Vibia Sabina and Adriano followed by the Angiolillo Hall at Palazzo Wedekind (INPS headquarters) and the Parlamentino of Palazzo Brasini (INAIL headquarters). Speakers included the Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Roxana Minzatu Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Jean-Pierre Farandou France’s Minister of Labour Employment and Integration and Bärbel Bas Germany’s Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies Marina Calderoni opened the proceedings with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. The discussion featured contributions by Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy; Antonella Sberna,

Vice-President of the European Parliament; Alberto Barachini, Undersecretary of State to the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for information and publishing; Stefano Scarpetta, Director for Employment Labour and Social Affairs at the OECD who will become Chief Economist on 1 April; Sangheon Lee, Acting Deputy Director-General for Employment and Social Protection at the ILO; Father Paolo Benanti, President of the Ethics Committee of the Observatory on AI adoption in the workplace established at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies; Gabriele Fava, President of INPS; and Fabrizio D’Ascenzo, President of INAIL.

Speakers in Palazzo Wedekind

The afternoon panel in Inps Palazzo Wedekind in Rome highlighted the profound impact of AI on the workplace, involving institutions, businesses, workers and society. Simultaneous panels took place at the event’s three locations and were also live-streamed. Dedicated exhibition spaces showcased technologies already developed for human-centred innovation. Palazzo Wedekind featured three corners demonstrating the SIISL, EDO – Digital Education for Employment and AppLI technology platforms.

In the event organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies in collaboration with INPS and INAIL, INPS General Manager Valeria Vittimberga discussed the redistribution of the value created by technological innovation. She emphasised that every technological advancement generates value and the political and institutional challenge lies in how this value is distributed. A portion of the productivity gained from advanced automation should be reinvested in research, professional retraining and finding a new balance between labour supply and demand. Vittimberga stressed that technology is not predetermined but a governance choice. The key question is not whether AI will replace human labour but whether we can effectively guide these

transitions. During the initiative INPS Managing Director Valeria Vittimberga outlined the Institute’s transformation from a provider to becoming the country’s intelligent infrastructure. She clarified that they are not simply introducing AI as a tool for efficiency but are actively building an AI model specifically designed for welfare. A model grounded in three pillars: public sovereignty over social security and employment data; transparent, auditable, and explainable algorithms; and personalised proactivity, with an agency anticipating needs and identifying vulnerabilities before they become structural exclusion. “Public AI must be transparent to strengthen trust and responsibility,” she emphasised.