- Rome Business School presents the findings from a study by Planeta Formación y Universidades and GAD3 on artificial intelligence and future employability, analyzing over 3,600 students in Italy, Spain, France, and Colombia.
- 89% of Italian students report using AI: 76% use generative AI tools, and 64% use it as a personal assistant.
- While 33% of Italians believe AI will lead to job losses, 31% believe new jobs will emerge, particularly in emerging sectors.
- According to respondents, the sectors most impacted by AI will be manufacturing (30%), administrative work (17%), and creative professions (15%).
- In the face of AI challenges, Italian students want to expand their skills: only 26% have already acquired knowledge in this field, while 64% want to deepen their understanding.
Rome Business School presents the results of an international survey, “Artificial Intelligence and Future Employability for Higher Education Students,” conducted on 3,600 students aged 18-35 in Italy, France, Spain, and Colombia for Planeta Formación y Universidades, an international higher education network created in 2003 by De Agostini and Grupo Planeta, of which Rome Business School is a member. The study, carried out in collaboration with GAD3, a leader in social research and corporate communication in Spain, highlights the perceptions, skills, and expectations of students facing the transformations induced by artificial intelligence in their academic and professional paths.
At the Rome Business School campus, Sara Morais, General Manager of Gad3, explained that 89% of university students in Italy use AI tools, especially those studying Sciences, Engineering, and Architecture. However, only 32% report being able to develop their own AI-based solutions, revealing a significant gap in technological skills.
For Antonio Ragusa, Dean of RBS, “Artificial intelligence is redefining the landscape of education and work, creating new opportunities but also significant challenges. The findings of this research show that students are increasingly aware of the central role AI plays, but there is a clear need to strengthen competencies in this area. As Rome Business School, the first business school in Italy to launch a master’s program in AI, we are deeply committed to integrating AI into our programs through dedicated courses, training modules for students and faculty, and collaborations with the business world. Our goal is to equip future professionals with the skills necessary to leverage AI ethically, strategically, and innovatively, ensuring them a competitive advantage in the global job market.”
AI According to Italian Students: Benefits, Concerns, and Uses
According to the study, which involved over 800 Italians, 56% of students identified both image and video analysis and machine learning as the most important functionalities of artificial intelligence. Optimization of tasks and automation followed. Regarding opportunities, increased productivity emerges as the main benefit offered by AI (40%), followed by advances in research (38%). Specifically, the Health Sciences sector assigns the most value to automation and efficiency as key opportunities.
On the challenges front, Italian students identify two major concerns: job losses due to automation (33%) and ethical issues related to AI use (33%). Their French counterparts are even more pessimistic about the employment impact, with 43% considering job loss the primary challenge and highlighting risks related to data protection and privacy (29%). Despite concerns about potential job losses, 31% of Italian students believe there will be room for new job opportunities, particularly in emerging sectors.
As for the specific use of AI, the majority of Italian students (76%) report primarily using generative AI tools. This trend is confirmed internationally, with 84% of interviewed students using AI for this purpose. The second most common use in Italy is AI as a personal assistant, adopted by 64% of students. In Spain, the use of AI for gamification stands out, with 31% of students using it, compared to a significantly lower figure in Italy (17%).
These results were discussed at a roundtable featuring Mario Nicosia – Technology Software Country Leader and Board Member of Oracle; Emanuele Cacciatore – Offering, Innovation, and Go-to-Market Director of Engineering Group and Lecturer at Rome Business School; Valentino Megale – Program Director of the International Master in Artificial Intelligence at RBS; and Silvia Bellucci – Program Director of the Executive Master in Data Science at RBS, who shared practical examples from their work and pedagogical experiences.
Italian Students and AI: Enthusiasm and Training Gaps
About 64% of Italian students express a strong motivation to learn about artificial intelligence and recognize the importance of using AI tools, particularly because they believe AI “is the future” (32%) or due to personal interest (26%). On the other hand, among students who have shown little interest (10%) in learning about AI, half express indifference to this new technology, and a quarter express distrust.
Regarding AI education, only 23% of Italian students report having received at least some training, particularly those studying Engineering and Architecture. When evaluating the training received, 73% of Italians appreciate the quality of the resources and materials provided, and 69% find the content relevant to their professional field.
The Impact of AI on Education and the Workforce
The most widely held belief about AI’s effects on education is the transformation of teaching and learning methodologies (57%). Increased accessibility, according to Italian students, is another important element in transforming education (52%).
Looking at the workforce, the creation of qualified jobs (31%), the automation of routine tasks (30%), and new opportunities in emerging sectors (29%) are the most cited positive consequences of AI in the employment sector. However, there remains the fear of job loss: 40% believe AI will eliminate specific jobs, particularly in manufacturing (30%), administrative employees (17%), and creative professionals (15%). Respondents believe that managers, executives, and entrepreneurs (2%) and logistics workers (2%) will be less affected.
To mitigate the challenges posed by AI, Italian students believe investing in education is crucial. 74% support the need to integrate AI content into educational programs, with a particular focus on faculty training. Other essential measures include partnerships with technology companies (68%), collaboration with the production sector (68%), the issuance of regulations on AI use in the workforce (39%), and the implementation of professional retraining programs (38%). The importance of education is especially felt among students over 30 and those enrolled in a Master’s program.
The question then arises: how do we prepare students for a world where AI will be integral to every profession? “It’s not enough to teach how to use tools; we must develop a mindset capable of adapting to change, integrate cross-disciplinary skills, and enhance critical thinking. The future of education will not only lie in the transmission of knowledge but in the ability to train individuals who can ethically and consciously navigate technological transformations,” says Emanuele Cacciatore. “We should not just teach students to coexist with AI, but to lead it, control it, and improve it. The goal of educators should not be passive adaptation to a new technological system but the creation of a society where AI becomes a driver of fair and sustainable progress for all,” concludes Silvia Bellucci.
