From February 13 to 15, 2025, the World AI Cannes Festival brought together global leaders in artificial intelligence and innovation in a strategic networking context. Italy participated with the support of the Italian Trade Agency, confirming the growth of our AI ecosystem on the international stage. Startups, companies, and research centers showcased cutting-edge solutions in Cannes, actively contributing to the debate on the opportunities and challenges of the sector.
Emerging Topics at WAICF 2025: Innovation and Social Impact
This year, the fair highlighted key topics for the future of artificial intelligence, such as generative AI, quantum AI, and Edge Computing, showcasing the latest discoveries and challenges reshaping the industry.
AI implementation strategies were at the forefront, with discussions on how to transform and scale artificial intelligence projects to amplify business impact. Additionally, topics such as trust in AI, security, and regulatory compliance were addressed, emphasizing the importance of ethical AI, cybersecurity, and data protection.
Finally, the social impact of AI was analyzed, with particular reference to the healthcare, education, and climate change sectors, highlighting how artificial intelligence can positively influence these crucial areas for society.
An Opportunity to Grow and Gain Visibility
On these topics, WAICF offered an important opportunity for Italian companies to present their innovations to investors, companies, and institutions. The Italian delegation was able to engage with some of the most important global players, strengthening its position and creating new strategic synergies.
The event highlighted the ability of Italian companies to compete on an international scale, showcasing advanced AI applications in key sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and training.
We at WhoTeach and Social Thingum also participated in WAICF. With WhoTeach, we presented our Intelligent Digital Learning platform, which leverages AI to optimize corporate upskilling and reskilling, making training more effective and personalized. With Social Thingum, accredited among the 42 Technology Transfer Centers of the MISE and part of the European Digital Innovation Hub of AI Magister, we showcased our advanced AI solutions for the digital transformation of companies.
Statements from Participants
Federico M., Communication Specialist at Social Thingum, states: “Participating in WAICF 2025 was an extraordinary opportunity for Social Thingum to bring Italian innovation to the global artificial intelligence landscape. The event allowed us to engage with industry leaders, institutions, and investors, gathering valuable insights to refine our technologies and expand international collaborations.”
Lorenzo P., Business Developer at WhoTeach, declares: “Participating in WAICF 2025 was an important opportunity for WhoTeach to demonstrate how AI can revolutionize the world of Digital Learning. With our intelligent platform, we showed how upskilling and reskilling can become more effective, personalized, and accessible for companies in every sector. The event allowed us to engage with global leaders, institutions, and investors, gathering valuable insights to further enhance our technology and make it increasingly strategic for business growth.”
Filippo Petz of ICE Agenzia ITA states: “With our third participation in WAICF, we brought 30 Italian startups as a collective. We participate in many events dedicated to startups. Here are the upcoming events: https://www.ice.it/it/sites/default/files/banner_files/ITA STARTUP WEB JAN 22_0.pdf”
Alberto Fioravanti, CTO of Zest S.p.A, declares: “Once again this year, one of the key events was the Investors Summit, an exclusive forum focused on the challenges and prospects of AI investments. This summit offered insights into market trends, case study analyses, and networking sessions with startups and innovative startups. The Italian pavilion organized by ITA remained central, showcasing startups and innovative SMEs in the AI field.”
Giulio Coluccia, CEO & Co-founder of ToothPic, states: “We are thrilled to have participated in WAICF, an event that reaffirmed the importance of digital security in the era of artificial intelligence. In a landscape where cyber threats evolve rapidly, protecting digital identity has become essential to ensure the security of data and services. We had the opportunity to present our smartphone-based authentication solution, designed to make digital identities unclonable and offer an unprecedented level of protection. Engaging with industry experts and cutting-edge companies reinforced our belief that security must be a central element in the development of AI technologies. I want to thank everyone who visited our booth, sharing ideas and visions for the future of digital security. Your interest and participation drive us to continue innovating, aiming to build a safer and more resilient digital ecosystem together.”
Massimo Morbiato, CEO & Founder of EZ Lab Blockchain Solutions, declares: “WAICF 2025 was the ideal stage for EZ Lab Blockchain Solutions, a Martech that transforms supply chain and sustainability data into a powerful voice for products. With the Digital Product Passport, required by the EU Ecodesign Regulation and enhanced with AI, Blockchain, NFTs, and Smart Contracts, we ensure transparent and reliable information, creating value for consumers, the market, and the planet. Thanks to ITA – Italian Trade Agency, which selected us, and the networking opportunities with companies and investors, the event highlighted Europe’s central role in artificial intelligence and the urgency of investing in innovation to shape the future. Innovation generates a positive impact when it makes progress accessible, safe, and tangible for everyone. For this reason, we will continue to develop advanced solutions, turning data into tools to enhance sustainability and guide more conscious purchasing choices.”
Federica Peci, CEO & Founder of Cerebro, states: “Since 2018, Cerebro has been developing wearable medical devices that, through the stimulation of specific brain areas, help improve people’s quality of life in many aspects, from sleep and mood disorders to neurological diseases. These devices are patented in Europe as innovative for their special non-invasive functioning, as they are based on precision medicine and are eco-sustainable. We wanted to explore the world of artificial intelligence at WAICF, with the leading experts in the field, because it represents an opportunity for us to make our products even easier to use, immediate, flexible, and to transition them to version 2.0. WAICF helped us understand how artificial intelligence can fit into the healthcare world, governed by its particular laws, including ethics. After two intensive days, we brought home the wealth that comes from engaging with so many professionals, new projects, and ideas for the future.”
Sabrina Valbusa, Marketing & Sales Manager of SnapAll by TimelapseLab, states: “WAICF 2025 was an extraordinary experience for SnapAll. I had the pleasure of presenting our technology for remote construction site monitoring, generating great interest among companies in the construction and luxury real estate sectors. We received significant interest in the effectiveness of our solution, which can be integrated with existing internet-connected IP cameras or our industrial devices from TimelapseLab. We enable innovative real-time project progress tracking through regularly captured images, automated report generation, and privacy guarantees through AI. The event provided us with new perspectives to expand internationally and further innovate. I thank everyone who visited our booth and the partners with whom we initiated synergies. We return with enthusiasm and new ideas for the future of the sector.”
Giacomo Pinali, AI Architect of AI4IV, states: “At AI4IV, we are revolutionizing computer vision, inspired by the proven human eye-brain system. Our bio-inspired technology offers a solution capable of understanding scenes with unprecedented precision and reliability, even in the most extreme lighting conditions. This opens new frontiers for computer vision in numerous sectors. Thanks to WAICF 2025, we had the opportunity to connect with market leaders, confirming the enormous potential of our technology, with an impact that promises to change the rules of the game. We return from Cannes with the right energy to tackle the development phase that will culminate in the launch of our intelligent sensors on the market!”
Sonia Elicio, CTO of Sestre, states: “Participating in the World AI Cannes Festival means immersing oneself in the heart of innovation, where artificial intelligence is no longer a promise but a reality transforming key sectors such as health, research, and precision medicine. For us at Sestre, this engagement is essential. The most advanced technologies make sense only when applied to real problems. And AI in women’s health is a revolution we have been following and developing with an almost obsessive focus for years. Networking with technology hubs, universities, and clinics is the only way to accelerate innovation. Progress does not happen in silos but in the cross-pollination between startups, research, and large technological ecosystems. AI can change the paradigm of women’s medicine. We are already seeing the enormous potential in supporting more precise diagnoses, personalizing treatments, and making reproductive health accessible in unprecedented ways. But change will not happen on its own: a decisive push is needed to bring these technologies to market and clinics.”
Marco Cappellini, CEO and Co-founder of ArtCentrica, states: “We are very happy with this experience; WAICF proved to be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how we are using artificial intelligence to enhance learning and storytelling through art and with art, in an interdisciplinary and multimedia way, with ArtCentrica EDU and the AI ArtCentrica Stories like “What are ArtCentrica Stories?” https://rb.gy/4u3sfy. During the two days of the fair, we saw confirmation of the appreciation for what we are doing with ArtCentrica for digital innovation in the educational and cultural sector. We met potential partners and clients. A huge thank you to ITA Paris and all the startups that shared this wonderful trip to Cannes with us.”
Giuseppe Giorgianni, CEO of Innovatech srl, states: “Innovatech at WAICF 2025: an extraordinary experience at the heart of innovation. Innovatech, a cutting-edge company in artificial intelligence, had an extraordinary experience at the World AI Cannes Festival 2025, an event that brought together leading global experts to discuss the future of AI. Participating in this festival allowed us to engage with innovators, companies, and researchers, fostering a crucial dialogue on the transformative role of technology. We presented “Evolvera,” the first fully customizable AI smartwatch capable of learning, evolving, and anticipating user needs, and “Kelly,” the digital assistant for Smart Cities and hotels that revolutionizes the tourist experience. Effective innovation arises when technology meets people, turning ideas into concrete solutions. AI is not just the future; it is the present building a better tomorrow for everyone.”
Italian AI Strengthens Its Global Presence
Participation in WAICF 2025 confirmed the increasingly central role of the Italian AI ecosystem on the international stage. The companies present were able not only to showcase their solutions but also to draw inspiration from global trends, creating strategic connections for the future.
Engaging with industry leaders allowed Italian companies to better understand the dynamics of foreign markets. The partnerships initiated during the event represent a springboard for future projects, aiming to further strengthen Italy’s presence in the AI industry.
Italian AI, constantly evolving, is demonstrating the ability to combine innovation, sustainability, and a global vision. WAICF 2025 marked another step forward in this journey, consolidating Italy’s reputation as a hub of excellence in the field of artificial intelligence.
