In the second quarter of 2024, the manufacturing sector in Lombardy demonstrated positive resilience despite global economic challenges. During a press conference held on September 16 at Palazzo Lombardia, the regional councilor for Economic Development, Guido Guidesi, presented data highlighting an increase in employment in both industry and craftsmanship. While industrial turnover grew by 0.2%, the artisanal sector remained stable. Despite a slight decline in industrial production (-0.7%), certain sectors such as chemicals and rubber-plastics recorded significant increases.
Moreover, a survey conducted by Unioncamere Lombardia revealed that 23% of industrial enterprises and 7% of artisanal businesses are already utilizing artificial intelligence or planning to adopt it. Most companies view AI as an opportunity to enhance profitability and automate production processes. However, there are also concerns regarding its impact on employment: while many artisans do not foresee staff reductions due to AI, the perception among industrial firms is more pessimistic. The manufacturing sector will need to continue training specialized professionals to address future challenges related to automation and digitalization.
