Italy and the United States Strengthen Technological Cooperation: Launch of the Italy-U.S. Trusted Technology Accelerator

Italy and the United States Strengthen Technological Cooperation: Launch of the Italy-U.S. Trusted Technology Accelerator
A program designed to connect Italian and U.S. companies, researchers, and investors, focusing on opportunities in the fields of artificial intelligence, energy, and life sciences.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2026 – As part of the third “Italy-U.S. Dialogue on Trusted Technologies for Democracies,” the Embassy of Italy in Washington, in collaboration with the Transatlantic Harmonic Foundation and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, has launched the Italy-U.S. Trusted Technology Accelerator, an initiative aimed at strengthening technological cooperation between Italy and the United States.

The event brought together numerous institutional representatives, researchers, and 90 companies from both nations.

In addition to the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Marco Peronaci, the event was attended by Giorgio Mulè, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies; Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region; Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region; and Barbara Cimmino, Vice President of Confindustria. Also contributing via video message were the Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for innovation and technology, Alessio Butti.

Representing the U.S. side were Jacob Helberg, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Fogel. The event, hosted at the Embassy of Italy in Washington and developed with the key involvement of Prof. Roberto Baldoni, Advisor for Cybersecurity and Technology and Honorary Professor at La Sapienza University of Rome, marked its third edition today. This initiative comes at a particularly favorable moment for Italy-US relations in the technological and economic spheres. On September 21, Vice President Antonio Tajani and Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an agreement on critical minerals in New York; and, in July, Italy joined the “Pax Silica” initiative.

Italian companies are making significant investments in the United States: Pirelli is set to expand its plant in Georgia; Prysmian is investing in North Carolina, in addition to its acquisition of an American electrical company; Angelini has acquired an American firm in the pharmaceutical sector; and Enel Green Power has taken similar action in the renewable energy field by acquiring Excelsior Energy Capital.

“The United States and Italy boast a long-standing partnership in the technology sector. Collaboration is already highly advanced, for instance, in the space sector: Italy is a key partner in the Artemis program and will contribute to the lunar exploration initiative by participating in the development of habitation modules. Notably, NASA has valued Italy’s contribution to the lunar exploration program at $5 billion. Cooperation is also well-advanced in fundamental physics and quantum technologies. At Fermilab, for example, Italian and American researchers are working together on neutrino physics as part of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Furthermore, we are making significant progress in quantum technologies through the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center. The project launched today marks another important milestone in technological cooperation between Italy and the United States. This accelerator offers our companies, research institutions, investors, and government bodies a concrete way to connect and explore new opportunities in the fields of artificial intelligence, energy, and the life sciences.” “By creating greater opportunities for our businesses, the program will bring benefits to both sides of the Atlantic,” stated Marco Peronaci, Ambassador of Italy to the United States.

“Lombardy,” emphasized President Attilio Fontana, “is ready to play a leading role in strengthening technological cooperation between Italy and the United States. The region’s businesses, universities, and research centers represent a standard of excellence, thanks to their high-level technical and managerial expertise, a position of leadership that can gain further momentum through international partnerships of this kind.” He added, “Artificial intelligence, clean energy, and the life sciences are key sectors where it is essential to connect knowledge, investments, and talent. Such virtuous synergies can accelerate technology transfer and create value for the productive sector. Initiatives like the U.S.-Italy Trusted Tech Accelerator move precisely in this direction: they foster dialogue between research and industry and help strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses, generating new development opportunities for our regions.”

“Italy and the United States have done more than just talk about trusted technology: they have begun building the actual tools to make it a reality. In the sectors of technology, energy, and life sciences, the critical question is not merely who innovates first, but rather whom we can trust. And trust is built between nations that share the same values and place technology at the service of the individual,” stated Francesco Cicione, Founding President of the Harmonic Innovation Group and creator of the ‘Harmonic Innovation’ paradigm.

“Strengthening transatlantic cooperation on strategic technologies means translating the collaboration between Italy and the United States into investments, industrial projects, and new market opportunities. Our economies possess complementary strengths: American leadership in research and artificial intelligence is matched by Italian manufacturing excellence and our specialized supply chains. The challenge lies in transforming innovation into large-scale industrial applications through concrete partnerships that enhance the competitiveness of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,” remarked Barbara Cimmino during her address at the ‘U.S.-Italy Dialogue on Trusted Technologies for Democracies.’”

The accelerator will run for 18 months and focus on three strategic sectors: artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, energy, and life sciences. The initiative aims to connect Italian and American companies, startups, universities, research centers, and investors to foster transatlantic partnerships, joint research and development projects, technology transfer, the creation of new products, and investment opportunities.

October 16, 2026
(posted on October 27, 2026)

Updated on October 19, 2026 with the following:

Below you can find the video messages shared during the day, as well as the proceedings of the panel sessions:

Video message from Minister Anna Maria Bernini – Minister of University and Research of the Italian Republic
Video message from Undersecretary Alessio Butti – Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with responsibility for technological innovation and digital transition
Video of the conference proceedings

Video message from Minister Anna Maria Bernini