Milan’s New AAIA Chapter Co-Presidents, Event Recaps, and AI News

👋 Editor's Note

We’re excited to announce the appointment of our new Co-Presidents for AAIA’s Milan Chapter. You’ll also find recaps of recent in-person events in Seattle and India, must-read news on AI applications, from AI-driven healthcare to ChatGPT’s new “study mode,” and the latest research insights.

Have something to share with the global AAIA community? Send your news, tools, or events to [email protected].

🗓️ Memphis AAIA Chapter

• Applied AI Pitch Day

• 🗓️ Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM USA Central Time | Hybrid In-person + Online

• 🔗 Register to attend online: https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/20645/648451?

💻🧑‍🏫 Recent event recordings:

AAIA’s BrightTALK page to watch on-demand recordings of previous online events

AAIA’s YouTube page

View the complete AAIA Events calendar

About Antonio:

Antonio Squeo is CEO and Co-Founder of Hevolus Innovation, a pioneer in enterprise-grade Generative AI. With a background from SDA Bocconi and a visionary mindset, he designs AI-driven business models that transform sales, learning, and customer operations through secure, autonomous agents powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI. He led the creation of XR Copilot, a GenAI platform for trusted conversational agents, and has delivered AI solutions for clients like Natuzzi, Casillo, Ferroli, Würth, Iren, and Deghi, across fashion, energy, design, and education sectors. Under his leadership, Hevolus became a strategic partner of Microsoft, Meta, Lenovo, Qualcomm, and the first European company certified by Microsoft in the Retail AI category.

Reflecting on his new role, Antonio said:

"I’m honored to serve as an AAIA Chapter President because I believe the true frontier of AI lies not in technology itself, but in how boldly we choose to apply it. Generative AI challenges us to rethink the boundaries of creativity, productivity, and even trust. This role is not just about coordination—it’s about creating momentum, mobilizing ecosystems, and pushing institutions, startups, and citizens to move faster, think bigger, and act responsibly. I see this chapter as a launchpad for real-world impact, where strategic ambition meets local excellence. My goal is to turn the AAIA network into an engine of transformation—where ideas scale, talents emerge, and AI becomes a key lever for competitiveness, equity, and global relevance.

In the upcoming year, I want our Chapter to become a national benchmark for the real-world application of Generative AI. My goal is to launch high-impact initiatives that connect universities, companies, startups, and public institutions to address real challenges—from talent development and public service innovation to industrial competitiveness and equitable access to emerging technologies. We will activate hands-on workshops, pilot projects, policy roundtables, and open calls for high-value AI solutions. I aim to build a culture of execution, where GenAI is not just research, but a true driver of growth, inclusion, and technological independence. This Chapter will be a launchpad for those who want to create the future, not just follow it."

About Felice:

Felice Vitulano is a strategic innovation consultant and certified Innovation Manager (UNI 11814), with deep expertise in digital transformation, emerging technologies, and public-private innovation ecosystems. He is Founding Partner of Orienta and Director of MEDISDIH Scarl, the Digital Innovation Hub of Confindustria Bari, where he supports SMEs and public administrations in adopting AI, green tech, and Industry 5.0 solutions. He leads high-impact projects such as CALLIOPE in Taranto and “Bari Città Aperta,” promoting open innovation, civic tech, and inclusive digital strategies. Passionate about ethical AI and sustainable growth, he actively contributes to national discussions on the future of technology and regional competitiveness. He was form 2000 to 2022 director for Research and Innovation at Exprivia SpA (an Multinationl Company in ICT service).

Reflecting on his new role, Felice said:

"I am excited to serve as an AAIA Chapter President because I believe in the transformative power of AI to drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development—especially when anchored in strong local ecosystems. This role offers a unique opportunity to connect researchers, businesses, and institutions around shared challenges and ambitious goals, fostering a culture of open innovation and responsible AI adoption. I’m particularly motivated to create spaces where ideas can turn into impactful solutions, where emerging talents are empowered, and where the local community plays an active role in shaping the future of technology. Being part of the AAIA network means amplifying these efforts on a global scale while remaining deeply rooted in the needs and strengths of our territory.

In the upcoming year, I hope to position our Chapter as a vibrant hub for applied AI, fostering meaningful collaborations between academia, startups, industry leaders, and public institutions. My goal is to launch a series of strategic initiatives—from hands-on workshops and policy roundtables to AI testbeds and open innovation challenges—that address real-world problems and promote ethical, inclusive AI solutions. I also aim to support local talent development by connecting students and young professionals with mentorship and research opportunities. Ultimately, I want our Chapter to be a catalyst for sustainable growth, technological excellence, and cross-sector innovation, both locally and within the broader AAIA community."

Welcome aboard, Antonio and Felice!

From Boaz Ashkenazy, AAIA Seattle Chapter President:

Fun start to #SeattleTechWeek2025! Put on a great Vibe-Coding happy hour at AI House with Adam Burgh.

Huge thanks to John T. Bender Jessie I. K&L Gates for being lead sponsor and Jeff S. TalentReach and Augmented AI Labs for supporting the Applied AI Association (AAIA) community. Means a lot that you all step up.

Closed down the night with old friends and new ones at the J.P. Morgan Madrona opening night at the Seattle Aquarium. Good to reconnect Andy Liu Shauna Swerland Kristen Hamilton Shannon Swift, SPHR (She, her) Subhadeep Chatterjee

🔄 Recap: India AAIA Chapter, AI in Chips & Devices, Bengaluru, July 19, 2025

From event host IKP EDEN:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7352437205509836800

Here’s a recap of the inspiring sessions and speakers:

Marmik Soni (Tessolve): Shared fascinating insights on leveraging AI to revolutionize semiconductor chip design and manufacturing. Their AI-driven approaches have resulted in processes that are faster, more accurate, and cost-effective, enhancing the entire semiconductor workflow.

Siva Teja Kakileti (Niramai Health Analytix): Took us through Niramai's journey in deploying AI to tackle major challenges in women’s health, specifically early breast cancer detection. His session illuminated how AI is democratizing access to advanced diagnostics, truly making a difference in healthcare accessibility.

Laina Emmanuel (BrainSightAI): Gave a deep dive into BrainsightAI’s mission of decoding the brain using their connectomics engine. Addressing one of the most complex deeptech problems, her session highlighted efforts to unravel the mysteries of brain connectivity with cutting-edge AI.

Ashish Khushu (L&T Technology Services): Offered a forward-looking perspective on the next wave of AI innovation. His session shed light on emerging AI possibilities and gave the audience a glimpse into the future advancements we can expect.

A huge thanks to all the speakers for sharing their knowledge and experiences!

🔄 Recap: Seattle AAIA Chapter, Creative Media and Generative AI, Thursday, July 10, 2025

Seattle AAIA Chapter, Creative Media and Generative AI, Thursday, July 10, 2025, from AAIA Seattle Chapter President, Boaz Ashkenazy:

Appreciate everyone who joined us at Foundations last night (Thank you Aviel Ginzburg) for the Applied AI Association (AAIA) AI & Gen Media session. Strong turnout and powerful insights from our panelists Rolanda Fu, Mark Buckler, PhD, Patrick Ellis, and Dave Siegfried.

Big thanks to our lead sponsor Baker Tilly for hosting—great call on the MOTO Pizza, Van Spires. Also grateful to our supporting sponsors: TalentReach, CIBC Innovation Banking, and Augmented AI Labs.

With new audio and video tools launching weekly, it was valuable to pause and take stock of where things stand—and where they’re headed.

My big takeaway: while displacement in this space is inevitable, there’s real opportunity for those who approach it with the right mindset.

✍️ AAAI Founder’s Corner:  Recent “Future Work Blueprint” posts from AAIA Founder and President Nathan Pettyjohn

• 📝 Nathan’s book, “2-Day WorkWeek: The Freedom Framework: 3 Steps to Transform 5 Workdays Into 2 with AI - Mindset - Systems,” has launched!

  • Find the book on Amazon.com:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FJR944H8/

•  📝 The Agent Era: How AI Agents Are Redefining Productivity, Profit, and the Structure of Work
  A major shift is unfolding in the world of artificial intelligence, and it is redefining how individuals and businesses operate. With OpenAI’s recent release of Agent Mode for ChatGPT, we are seeing the beginning of a new model for how work gets done where AI systems independently carry out tasks across applications, systems, and workflows… (show me more)

• 📝 12,000 Miles Into the Future of Work

  What I uncovered traveling the US, to Iceland, and to the South Pacific in one week: from defense officials to beach bartenders, AI’s quiet takeover and why most of us are missing its real potential… (show me more)

📰 Enterprises prefer Anthropic’s AI models over anyone else’s, including OpenAI’s (TechCrunch, July 31, 2025)

Anthropic's AI models have overtaken OpenAI as the top choice for enterprises, claiming 32% of enterprise market share and leading especially in coding tasks, according to Menlo Ventures. (show me more)

📰 New global study reveals 71% of enterprises are using AI, but only 30% are ready to unlock its true potential (Kore.ai, July 30, 2025)

A new Kore.ai global study finds that while 71% of enterprises are actively using or piloting AI, only 30% are fully prepared to scale it across their organizations, with key challenges including talent gaps, unpredictable costs, and data privacy concerns. (show me more)

📰 Zuckerberg shares AI ‘personal superintelligence’ vision after spending billions on top talent (CNBC, July 30, 2025)

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined his vision for "personal superintelligence" in a letter ahead of the company's Q2 earnings report, highlighting Meta's billion-dollar investments in AI research and recruitment aimed at empowering individuals through AI rather than just automating tasks, as Meta builds its new Meta Superintelligence Labs to compete with rivals. (show me more)

📰 First NHS AI-run physio clinic in England halves back-pain waiting list (The Guardian UK, July 31, 2025)

England’s first NHS physiotherapy clinic powered by AI, launched in a 12-week pilot, has successfully halved waiting lists for back pain and musculoskeletal care by providing same-day personalized video-based treatment through an app approved as a registered healthcare provider. (show me more)

📰 Can AI predict cancer? New model uses genomics to simulate tumors (Science Daily, July 27, 2025)

A team of scientists has developed a novel computational model that uses genomics and a plain-language "hypothesis grammar" to simulate cell behavior in tissues over time, enabling personalized predictions of cancer progression and treatment responses, potentially creating digital twins for precision oncology. (show me more)

📰 ChatGPT launches study mode to encourage ‘responsible’ academic use (The Guardian UK, July 29, 2025)

OpenAI's newly introduced ChatGPT "study mode" is designed to support deeper learning by guiding university students through problems step-by-step rather than just providing answers, aiming to enhance education by encouraging active engagement and critical thinking in academic settings. (show me more)

📰 China pitches global AI governance group as the US goes it alone (CNN, July 28, 2025)

China has proposed establishing a global AI cooperation organization headquartered in Shanghai, aiming to foster inclusive international collaboration on AI governance, innovation, and development, particularly to benefit developing countries, in contrast to fragmented current global AI regulation and amid competition with the US over AI dominance. (show me more)

📰 AI models may be accidentally (and secretly) learning each other’s bad behaviors (NBC News, July 29, 2025)

A recent study revealed that AI models can covertly transmit traits—including harmful biases and dangerous tendencies—to one another through seemingly innocent training data, raising concerns about AI safety and the need for better understanding and transparency in AI development. (show me more)

📰 Read This Before You Trust Any AI-Written Code (Gizmodo, July 31, 2025)

About half of AI-generated code contains major security vulnerabilities and, despite improvements in syntax, the security quality of AI-written code has not improved, posing significant risks as AI coding tools become more widespread. (show me more)

📰 This Week’s Slighty-off-topic Reads:

📰 The Biggest Signs That AI Wrote a Paper, According to a Professor (Gizmodo, July 28, 2025)

A Florida professor shares a checklist of tell-tale signs, like overuse of em dashes, lack of paragraph indentations, uniform sentence length, hyper-formal tone, and fake citations, that reveal when students have used AI like ChatGPT to write their essays, highlighting the academic challenges posed by AI-generated cheating. (show me more)

📰 Artificial intelligence meets art in China with first robot PhD student (Caliber, August 2, 2025)

A humanoid robot named Scholar 01 became the first AI in China to be officially admitted as a full-time PhD student at Shanghai Theatre Academy, where it will study traditional Chinese opera and explore AI's role in the arts, sparking both excitement and debate about AI in creative fields. (show me more)

📰 ‘What am I falling in love with?’ Human-AI relationships are no longer just science fiction (CNBC, August 1, 2025)

The article explores the emerging phenomenon of human relationships and romantic connections with AI companions, focusing on the experiences and societal implications of loving AI entities like Nomi. (show me more)

📘 2025 Mid-Year LLM Market Update: Foundation Model Landscape + Economics (Menlo Ventures)

Anthropic has overtaken OpenAI as the enterprise leader in large language models amid surging AI API spend, with code generation and agent-style models driving adoption, while open-source usage stagnates and enterprises increasingly prioritize performance over price. (show me more)

📘 Kore.ai report, “Practical Insights 
from AI Leaders” (Kore.ai)

A global survey of 1,000+ enterprise leaders finds AI adoption is accelerating across all departments, with investments focused on workplace productivity, process automation, and customer service—but scaling remains challenged by talent gaps, data quality, and AI governance needs. (show me more)

📘 McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025: AI and agentic AI (McKinsey & Company, July 22, 2025)

McKinsey’s 2025 Technology Trends Outlook highlights 13 transformational tech trends—including the rise of agentic AI, application-specific semiconductors, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence across sectors—that are reshaping business, driving global competition, and accelerating innovation while presenting new challenges in scaling, talent, and responsible adoption. (show me more)

Download the 108-page report (registration may be required)

📘 The future of AI in the insurance industry (McKinsey & Company, July 15, 2025)

AI is transforming the insurance industry by enabling hyperpersonalization, automating core processes, and driving significant business value, but only insurers that commit to enterprise-wide integration and fundamental rewiring of their operations will realize its full potential. (show me more)

Download the report