The SMART European Project showcased as a best practice at the Confindustria AI Roadshow in Vicenza
The Italian AI Roadshow for SMEs, promoted by Confindustria Innovation Hub in collaboration with the national and territorial Digital Innovation Hubs, on February 10th stopped in Vicenza with a workshop dedicated to Artificial Intelligence for SMEs and its role in driving innovation, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Hosted by Confindustria Vicenza, the event brought together entrepreneurs, managers and innovation stakeholders to explore practical and immediately applicable approaches to AI adoption, addressing regulatory frameworks, operational tools and real-life experiences from SMEs that have already integrated AI solutions into their business processes. These topics strongly resonate with the mission of the SMART European project, which supports SMEs across Europe in assessing AI readiness and adopting Artificial Intelligence responsibly and effectively through structured methodologies and tailored support services.
From AI Regulation to Real-World AI Applications for SMEs
After the institutional opening by Enrico Maggi, Vice President of Confindustria Vicenza for Digitalisation and AI, the workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the EU AI Act and its implications for businesses. The session highlighted the importance of trustworthy and compliant AI both at the EU and at the national level, helping SMEs navigate regulatory requirements while transforming legal obligations into strategic opportunities – one of the key principles promoted by the SMART project.
A central moment of the event focused on data readiness and AI maturity assessment, recognised as essential prerequisites for successful AI adoption in SMEs. The session was led by Stefano Miotto, Director of DIH Confindustria Veneto SIAV and partner of the SMART project, together with Manuel Astuto from DIH Lombardia. During his intervention, Mr Miotto presented the SMART project as a European best practice, illustrating how AI readiness assessment tools and SME-focused methodologies enable companies to evaluate their data maturity, identify priority use cases and define realistic, step-by-step AI adoption strategies aligned with their business goals.
Shared priorities for SME digital transformation
Throughout the workshop, several key themes emerged, closely aligned with the objectives of the SMART European project:
- AI readiness and data governance as fundamental enablers for effective AI implementation
- Skills development and awareness for entrepreneurs and managers facing AI-driven change
- Practical, scalable and SME-oriented AI solutions that deliver measurable business value
- European cooperation and cross-border exchange of best practices to accelerate innovation and reduce adoption barriers
Additional sessions explored the digital and AI market trends in the Veneto region, presented by Anitec-Assinform, and the role of AI national hub “IT4LIA AI Factory” in providing laboratories, platforms and pilot projects to support SMEs in their digital transformation journeys. The workshop concluded with company testimonials, showcasing how AI can transform business models, optimize internal processes and improve decision-making.
AI as a driver of competitiveness for European SMEs
By combining regulatory insights, market analysis, practical tools and European best practices, the event held in Vicenza reaffirmed the strategic role of Digital Innovation Hubs and EU-funded initiatives in enabling SMEs to adopt AI in a responsible, sustainable and competitive manner.
Through its tools, methodologies and collaborative ecosystem, the SMART European project continues to contribute to this mission, helping SMEs across Europe turn Artificial Intelligence into a concrete opportunity for innovation, growth and long-term competitiveness.
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