Technological innovation continues to be the central pillar of the airport’s digital transformation agenda, as highlighted in a recent in-depth feature by Eco.bergamo. The integration of Artificial Intelligence into operations at Milan Bergamo Airport is no longer a future experiment, but a pervasive reality capable of optimizing services, improving passenger comfort, and safeguarding airport security.
According to Ettore Pizzaballa, Head of Information Systems at Milan Bergamo Airport, AI is now a technology applicable to every phase of airport operations: from real-time monitoring of facilities to managing passenger flows in critical areas such as security checkpoints. This journey, which began in 2017 in collaboration with the University of Pavia, has led to the deployment of 140 dual-lens cameras and dedicated AI models for cybersecurity, protecting the airport’s digital infrastructure.
Among the most innovative applications is the “Avio” project (Airport Virtual Impact Structure Operation), Italy’s first digital twin dedicated to the airside portion of an airport. Using real-time data, it monitors aircraft and ground vehicle movements, enabling process optimization and a significant reduction in energy waste. The tool also supports internal training, thanks to digital simulators for de-icing operations.
SACBO’s commitment to social sustainability through AI also translates into greater accessibility. By summer, five totems equipped with avatars certified by the Italian National Association of the Deaf (ENS) will be installed, capable of communicating in Italian Sign Language (LIS) to assist passengers with reduced mobility.
However, technological evolution does not overlook the human factor. Davide Gabrielli, Head of SACBO’s Operational Innovation Unit, emphasizes that alongside the adoption of new technologies, a path of awareness and training has been launched for the entire workforce. The goal is to ensure that AI is introduced with a clear vision, guaranteeing human governance that enables people to work better—while remembering that technology must remain a tool serving efficiency, not an end in itself. This strategy was also recently shared during the conference “The New Challenges of Artificial Intelligence: Law and Responsibility,” promoted by SACBO, which featured contributions from Davide Gabrielli and Dario Ricco, HR Industrial Relations Manager at SACBO, with the presentation “AI: New Routes Between Law, Technology, and Organization.” The discussion highlighted the need for a balance between technological innovation, governance, and people engagement, so that AI can be introduced responsibly—building trust even before systems.