Security and AI: interconnected people, data and infrastructure

New technologies, led by artificial intelligence. Industrial automation. The growing digitalisation of production and organisational processes. We are facing an epoch-making revolution that is creating ‘a new ecosystem of work’, in which people, machines, data and infrastructure are all interconnected. In this context, workplace safety, new technologies, cyber security and cyber safety are pieces of a single jigsaw puzzle. The reason is simple: a cyber incident can have direct consequences for physical safety, production and business continuity. And that is why – as everyone now agrees – ‘the challenge for businesses today is not merely to adopt new technologies, but to manage and integrate them’. This, in a nutshell, is the powerful message delivered yesterday in Turin at the first stop of the ‘Corporate Culture 2026 – Values that Create Value’ roadshow, organised by 4.Manager in partnership with *Il Sole 24 Ore* and dedicated to the theme ‘Corporate security in the age of AI’. The initiative comprises five events across the country, aimed at exploring the role of corporate culture as a strategic lever for business growth and the development of the national economy.

“Safety is one of the litmus tests of the new corporate culture: a culture that requires managerial functions capable of working across departments and staff who are engaged, well-informed and motivated,” emphasised Francesca Mazzolari, Managing Director of 4.Manager, at the close of the afternoon’s discussion between businesses, managers and experts. “ Digitalisation now permeates all business functions and broadens the very concept of safety at work: the physical protection of people remains central – something that new technologies can reinforce – but alongside this, the issue of protecting employees’ personal and professional information is growing in importance. For this reason, digital security cannot be viewed merely as a technical issue: it concerns the practical protection of people and the organisation; a single instance of careless behaviour on the part of an individual can create a vulnerability for the entire company.”

Eleonora Faina, Deputy Director-General of the Turin Industrialists’ Union, is on the same wavelength: ‘For businesses today, security has expanded in scope and importance, and technology is increasingly taking centre stage. Opportunities, prevention, monitoring, knowledge and the capacity to respond are all increasing, whilst at the same time new vulnerabilities are emerging – from cyber threats to the need to prevent misuse of digital and technological devices and tools. We are moving beyond a vision centred solely on compliance and shifting the focus to corporate strategy, where digitalisation is becoming pervasive and cross-cutting. It permeates every sector and compels organisations to move beyond siloed structures. This is the vision that we in Turin believe should be at the heart of our companies’ deliberations, and we are delighted to share it with 4.Manager.”

The key point, explained Giuseppe Torre, scientific coordinator of the 4.Manager Observatory, is that new technologies have genuinely shifted the focus ‘from compliance alone to the ability to identify, interpret and manage risk signals. For this reason, the role of management in linking data, people and technologies to decision-making and operational processes is crucial – and will become increasingly so. New skills, organisational trust and the ability to take timely action will be required’.

“Innovation can become a powerful driver of prevention and competitiveness, but only if it is properly managed,” added Matteo Marten-Perolino, coordinator of Federmanager’s Health and Safety at Work Commission. “ “Organisation, training and technology must evolve together so that the opportunities offered by digital transformation translate into greater safety, resilience and sustainability for businesses and individuals.”