It concluded on 26 February 2026, at the’Air Force Military Sciences Institute in Florence, the 2nd Digital Innovation Seminar, promoted by Department for Didactic and Managerial Training (Re.Fo.Di.Ma.) as an innovative training hub for the Air Force, which involved 20 Generals from the Armed Force over two days.
The initiative is part of a strategic and periodic training path, launched with the first edition in 2025, aimed at strengthening the culture of innovation and supporting the evolution of the decision-making processes of the Italian Air Force's Senior Management, in line with the principles of Lifelong learning and with the directives of the Superior Authorities promoting the integration of the approach of open innovation, enriching the Armed Forces“ multidisciplinary analytical capabilities through the "constructive contamination”with external expertise.
Having laid the groundwork for “digital knowledge” in the first edition of 2025, with insights into emerging technologies and data-centric strategies, the 2nd Digital Innovation Seminar focused on Strategic Decision Making In a technological context, what is the key competency for Managers who are tasked with leading staff and processes in environments characterised by complexity, uncertainty, and increasing interconnection between operational domains, even if they don't necessarily possess in-depth technical knowledge of the technologies in use?.
As highlighted by the Commander of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region, Air Division General Francesco Vestito, “Digital innovation today represents an indispensable strategic lever for ensuring operational effectiveness, organisational resilience and decision-making superiority. In a context characterised by increasing complexity and interconnectedness between domains, the task of Senior Management is to guide change with vision, responsibility and awareness. This Seminar offered an important opportunity for qualified discussion, aimed at strengthening the capacity to make timely and informed decisions, valuing data as an enabling element and promoting an open, integrated, and innovation-oriented organisational culture. Investing in training means investing in the future of the Armed Forces, consolidating managerial and strategic skills necessary to swiftly address current and future challenges.”
The works were moderated by Prof. Carlo Odoardi, a lecturer at the University of Florence, who focused on the role of Organisational culture oriented AI decision making which enabler of innovation.
During the works, the contribution of Dr Maurizio Prete, President of the Miticoro Foundation E.T.S., offered a managerial and strategic interpretation of the challenges arising from digital transformation, delving into the value of data and information as levers to support decisions in complex scenarios. On the morning of the second day, the Generals had the opportunity to observe an advanced model of Governance integrated through a visit to the Smart City Control Room of the Municipality of Florence, an example of a collaborative ecosystem that integrates data, information systems, and artificial intelligence to support coordinated and timely decisions, aimed at optimising cooperation between bodies and data exchange. This ensures real-time monitoring and predictive management of events affecting city traffic, such as roadworks or public gatherings, for immediate resolution of unforeseen issues and for smooth and safe urban mobility.
The works concluded with a final summary by Prof. Odoardi, oriented towards the development of a possible operational model for decision-making for organisational innovation.
A further moment of reflection and informal dialogue was enriched by the testimony of Dr Luca Picco, a consultant in leadership and organisational innovation, who shared experiences gained in the industrial sector, highlighting the importance of agile and interdependent models in decision-making processes.
The event confirmed the strategic value of a training course aimed at consolidating a culture of digital innovation, which has become indispensable for promptly addressing contemporary and future challenges.
