Italy is bolstering its AI infrastructure with nearly €1.3 billion in EU funding and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Over the last five years, the country has established Europe's leading computer capacity, thanks to EU financing and resources from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Yet, the obstacle of converting accessible

technological resources into products, services, and market value for SMEs and entrepreneurs persists. The Leonardo supercomputer, which is co-financed by EuroHPC and has a dedicated quantum hardware infrastructure, is a standout among the strategic hubs. Additionally, Bologna is home to projects for advanced data centers and a cloud dedicated to public administration, and Italy is a candidate to host future European AI Gigafactories. On the industrial front, a recent Accenture survey found that 92% of Italian managers foresee an increase in AI investments in 2026, the highest proportion among the European countries polled.