Italy is taking its technological partnership with the United States into a new phase, seeking to turn strong political ties into concrete opportunities for research, investment and industry.
A delegation led by Alessio Butti, Italy’s Undersecretary for Technological Innovation, is traveling through New York, North Carolina and Washington, focusing on 5 strategic areas – artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 6G networks, cybersecurity and energy. The goal is to connect Italian companies, startups and research institutions more closely with some of America’s leading innovation ecosystems.
In New York, the program includes IBM’s research center in Yorktown and meetings with investors. North Carolina offers another important stop, with visits involving the Duke Quantum Center and RTI International in the Research Triangle, one of the United States’ major technology and research hubs.
Washington adds the strategic dimension. Talks are expected to address secure networks, computing capacity, critical infrastructure and the enormous energy requirements associated with AI and quantum technologies. Meetings at the White House, State Department and Pentagon underline how technology has become increasingly connected to national security and transatlantic cooperation.
The partnership is already expanding into next-generation telecommunications. Italy has joined U.S.-led international cooperation on 6G, while promoting the idea that future networks should incorporate not only “security by design” but also “trust by design.”
For Italy, the American relationship is therefore becoming more than access to a major export market. It offers Italian businesses opportunities to participate earlier in emerging technologies, research networks, investment flows and strategic supply chains. The challenge now is converting close Italy–U.S. political and technological cooperation into projects, contracts and long-term industrial growth.
