Antonio Grasso: Championing Digital Transformation for a Better Tomorrow

Born and raised in Naples, Italy, Antonio Grasso's formative years were steeped in the rich tapestry of Italian culture. This vibrant backdrop became the canvas upon which Antonio would paint a remarkable tech career spanning over 37 years.

From his beginnings as a software analyst and developer, Antonio found himself attracted to the dynamic complexities of digital transformation. His fascination became a journey that led him to establish his company, Digital Business Innovation Srl. He has launched himself into myriad roles—a versatile advisor, B2B influencer, author, and innovator for an array of enterprises and public institutions.

Antonio wears multiple hats, serving as an Intel IoT Software Innovator, a fellow at the Royal Society for Arts, and an Ambassador to European Commission initiatives such as AI4EU and NGI. He also holds various advisory roles with organizations such as ISCEA, AgriUT, and Busy Technology. His extensive work experience is not just limited to Italy; his influence has been felt across the globe, from Madrid to Queensland, from Brussels to Santa Clara.

“As I navigated the world of technology, I discovered a passion for sharing knowledge,” Antonio shares. This passion led him to write, post on social media, and connect with others. And so, almost accidentally, Antonio became an influencer in the world of tech—as of publication, he has 30,000 followers on LinkedIn, a whopping 278,000 followers on Instagram, and a gargantuan 330,000 followers on Twitter.

His passion for sharing knowledge is also evidenced by his many roles as ambassador, mentor, influencer, and fellow—in his work as an Accredited and Qualified Global Mentor for the World Business Angels Investment Forum, he supports the growth of nascent startups and scaleups. He also contributes to the European Commission's Next Generation Internet and AI4EU - Artificial Intelligence for Europe projects. There, he serves as an external expert and ambassador, using his wealth of knowledge to guide European digital policy towards the future.

Since 2021, Antonio has been a professional member of The Society of Professional Journalists, where he brings his unique blend of technical insight and social commitment. His writing, much like his career, emphasizes the narrative of digital transformation as an ongoing evolution rather than a discrete event.

In the social realm, he leverages his influence to break down barriers to digital understanding, particularly in developing countries. He regards digital transformation as more than just the incorporation of technology; he sees it as a cultural shift. Antonio's vast social media following is testament to his ability to clearly convey complex technological concepts.

For Antonio, digital transformation is akin to a puzzle, and technology is but a piece, not the whole. His vision includes the strategy and cultural change necessary to embrace technology in a way that benefits us all.

Antonio’s latest book project sums up his career and passions best: “It aims to envision a future post-digital society - a world where digital innovation is not a novelty but an integral part of our lives. Like the telephone, electricity and tap water, digital technology will become an inseparable part of our existence.”

In every chapter of his career, Antonio himself embodies digital transformation: he is a man who, through technology, social media, and cultural change, is educating others, raising awareness, and sharing his knowledge, practicing the very principles he wants to share with the world.

This week, in conversation with Machinelab...

As one of the top influencers in digital transformation, how do you perceive the current pace of digital transformation across businesses and the public sector?

In the private sector, companies of all sizes are embracing digital transformation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are beginning to realize the importance of digital tools for customer engagement, process automation, and data analytics. Large organizations invest heavily in advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing. The pace of adoption varies by industry, but sectors such as finance, healthcare, and retail appear to be adopting digital transformation strategies remarkably quickly.

The pace has been somewhat slower in the public sector but still significant. Governments worldwide have recognized the need for digital services to improve efficiency and citizen engagement. There is a growing focus on digitizing public services, with substantial progress in digital identity, online education, and e-governance. However, challenges remain, including privacy and security concerns, digital divide issues, and the complexity of transforming large, bureaucratic systems.

Looking ahead, I expect the pace of digital transformation to continue to be rapid, but it will likely be uneven across sectors and regions. Factors such as technology infrastructure, the regulatory environment, and cultural attitudes toward digital technology will play an essential role in determining the speed and scope of digital transformation.

It is also important to advocate for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation strategies that consider the needs of all stakeholders, including underserved populations and those disproportionately affected by the digital divide.

You're involved with the Next Generation Internet and the AI4EU projects by the European Commission. Could you elaborate on your role in these initiatives and how they are expected to shape the future of the Internet and AI in Europe?

The NGI initiative aims to create a more human-centered internet that respects fundamental values such as privacy, participation and diversity. It is expected to influence the future of the internet in Europe by fostering innovation in areas such as privacy-enhancing technologies, decentralized data governance, and open-source hardware and software.

The AI4EU project aims to democratize access to AI technologies and promote their use in sectors ranging from healthcare and education to finance and transportation.

Both initiatives aim to shape the future of the internet and AI in Europe by promoting the development and use of these technologies in a way that benefits society and is in line with European values. They aim to foster innovation, improve competitiveness, address societal challenges and ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are widely shared.

In both the Next Generation Internet and AI4EU initiatives, my involvement covers several functions. As an external expert, I contribute my broad knowledge and industry experience. At the same time, I take on the role of an evaluator, carefully assessing ongoing projects to ensure alignment with stated goals.

I also act as an ambassador, leveraging my extensive digital footprint through social media. This unique position allows me to bridge the initiatives with the global community, championing the innovative progress being made in Europe and advocating for wider adoption of these technological advances.

You have emphasised that digital transformation is more than just technology, but also a cultural change. Can you elaborate more on this viewpoint and the importance of the strategic approach to this 'epochal' change?

Digital transformation isn't just about adopting new technologies; it's a paradigm shift in how businesses operate and deliver value to customers. It's a complex process that requires a strategic approach and touches every aspect of an organization, from its customer service and operations to its business model and, most importantly, its culture.

When we say digital transformation is also a cultural change, we mean it requires a shift in attitudes, behaviors, and values within the organization. This includes various aspects such as employee mindset, leadership, collaboration, communication, and customer centricity, to name a few.

Successful execution of a digital transformation strategy requires technological change and a fundamental cultural shift within the organization. This strategic approach is critical.

You are an Accredited and Qualified Global Mentor for Startups and Scaleups by the World Business Angels Investment Forum. How do you approach mentoring in these rapidly changing sectors, and what key advice do you often find yourself giving to these businesses?

Every mentoring relationship is unique, but these themes are common to navigating the uncertainties and seizing the opportunities of rapidly changing industries. If I had to list a few suggestions and advice for startups and scaleups, I would include:

• Adopt a customer-centric approach.
• Be adaptable and agile.
• Build a strong team.
• Make data-driven decisions.
• Innovate and differentiate.
• Be diligent about financial management:
• Don't be afraid to fail.
• Solicit and receive feedback for continuous improvement.

‍You are a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and recognised as an Intel IoT Software Innovator. How did you obtain these roles and how do they align with your work in digital transformation?

In both cases, I was invited to participate, and both roles align strongly with my work in digital transformation.

The RSA Fellowship provides a platform to influence societal change, including through digital transformation, by facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration and driving the digital innovation agenda.

On the other hand, the Intel IoT Software Innovator recognition aligns with the technology aspect of digital transformation, positioning one as a leader in the field, driving IoT innovation and adoption, and shaping the future of digital technology.

In your role as an advisor and B2B influencer, what current trends or technologies are you most excited about and why?

While artificial intelligence certainly holds transformative potential, enhancing our capabilities as sentient beings and fundamentally reshaping the way we work and live, I argue that the true linchpin of the social revolution lies more in the widespread adoption of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) such as blockchain.

Through the implementation of smart contracts and the emergence of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), this technology will profoundly impact the four cornerstones of social paradigms: Order, Conflict, Structure, and Action.

As such, I envision DLTs as a revolutionary force in terms of social impact, especially as we move into the post-digital era. My forthcoming book delves deep into these compelling themes, comprehensively dissecting their intricacies and unpacking their causal relationships through robust, retrospective analysis.

There is not just a huge buzz around the AI boom, but also fear of its capabilities, of disinformation, and of lack of regulation. How do you see the role of AI evolving in that context?

The remarkable transformative potential of AI, especially generative AI, is undeniable. However, it's important to remember that AI serves as a mirror, reflecting our own characteristics. The process of training AI involves data scientists using data from human activity, which is then processed, aggregated, and used to build artificial neural connections for inference.

However, it's important to remember that the knowledge we use to train AI comes from us, so the output we get from AI can only be as good as the input we provide. As such, it may be more prudent to focus regulatory efforts on the people responsible for training AI, rather than on the machines themselves.

Laws are typically enacted with the goal of restricting certain human actions. Similarly, in the context of AI, it would be constructive to create regulations that guide the ethical and responsible training of these technologies.

And just to further promote my new book, I will be talking about this in it as a fundamental part of the coming post-digital society!

Could you discuss your ethical vision regarding digital transformation and its significance for developing countries?

Digital transformation, if implemented thoughtfully, can be a significant driver of socio-economic development in developing countries. It is a catalyst for improving sectors as diverse as education, where e-learning can provide unprecedented access to quality resources and personalized learning experiences, especially in remote or under-resourced communities.

However, as we embark on this digital journey, human rights, people's needs, and sustainable and equitable development must be at the core of all initiatives. This includes addressing the digital divide, protecting privacy, ensuring accessibility, and paying close attention to local context and cultural sensitivities.

Digital transformation in developing countries must not only enhance technological capabilities, but must also be a tool for reducing inequality, promoting inclusion and fostering sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In my small contribution, I'm using the power of social media on Instagram and Facebook to inspire entrepreneurship, leadership and business motivation in young people around the world, but especially in developing countries. The project is agrassoblog.org, and 'agrassoblog' is the handle on social media platforms.

Images courtesy of: Antonio Grasso

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