The open program “AI in Operations” is a training pathway designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are transforming the management of business Operations — from manufacturing to the supply chain — creating new operating models based on data, intelligent automation, and predictive decision-making.
The program combines conceptual foundations with practical applications of AI solutions and data architecture in industrial processes and after-sales services, exploring the evolution of Operations and Supply Chain Management from a digital perspective.
Through lectures, business cases, industry testimonials, and hands-on sessions, the program provides technical skills for managing information flows, predictive analysis, and optimization of the entire value chain. The pathway is further enriched by a company visit to an outstanding manufacturing organization and by a final project to be carried out within one’s own company, enabling participants to practically apply the knowledge acquired.
The training course is structured over 7 days, for a total of 6 teaching sessions in a weekend format (Friday and Saturday), during which participants will acquire the soft and hard skills and operational tools to drive the Digital Transformation of manufacturing companies.
In collaboration with:
Alberto Regattieri
Director of Education
aregatti@bbs.unibo.it
"Digital transformation does not mean "doing without paper what you did before", digitizing Operations means innovating and improving physical and information flows."
Michele Bonfiglioli
Executive Director
michele.bonfiglioli@bbs.unibo.it
"The training course is characterised by a pragmatic approach, thanks to a combination of theoretical models and successful experiences. It aims to provide participants with the tools and skills to govern the Digital Transformation in manufacturing companies."
Structure
The programme is divided into 7 days, on Friday and Saturday, from 9AM to 6PM.
The dates of the sessions are:
- 30-31 January 2026
- 20-21 February 2026
- 20-21 March 2026
- 10 April 2026
COURSES
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Evolution of Operations and Supply Chain: from the traditional model to the AI-driven enterprise
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Impacts of artificial intelligence on planning, production, and logistics
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Cases of digitalization and intelligent automation
Discussion of application cases:
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The use of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS)
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Flexible automation in handling: from forklifts to LGVs/AMRs
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The role of automated warehouses
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The journey from data collection to the application of artificial intelligence
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AI in document management, AI in Manufacturing, AI in the Supply Chain
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Data architecture: data lake, governance, machine learning pipelines
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Digital Transformation model and application cases in the industrial domain
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Introduction to ChatGPT and generative models
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Prompt engineering and operational applications
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Hands-on exercises on document automation and text analysis use cases
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Human-AI hybrid workflows
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Automation of decision-making and reporting processes
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Building AI agents and next-generation collaborative tools
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AI in After-Sales: maintenance optimization and customer analytics
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AI in the Supply Chain: decision support, risk assessment, and Kraljic matrix
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Real-world case studies
Learning approach
Our courses feature a faculty of academics and consultants. The teaching methodology is supported by an e-learning platform where materials and exercises are uploaded for study and further study between teaching sessions.
The course will offer a balanced mix of face-to-face lectures, discussion of case studies, classroom presentations by industry experts, teamworks and individual activities, and company visits.
Faculty
Faculty members at Bologna Business School work together offering outstanding teaching standards. An international and interdisciplinary approach is guaranteed by a joint team of distinguished national core professors, adjunct, visiting professors, guest speakers and top managers.
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Alberto Regattieri
Full Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Systems
University of Bologna
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Massimiliano Ghini
Director
European Center for Team Emotional Intelligence
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Michele Bonfiglioli
CEO
Bonfiglioli Consulting
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Umberto Mirani
Senior Partner | Principal Digital
Bonfiglioli Consulting
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Marco Brandalesi
Principal
Bonfiglioli Consulting
Networking
Networking takes place between students in the same class, between participants and teachers, as well as with students from other courses or previous editions of the same programme.
COMPANIES
Over the years, our partners have been constantly involved in the various activities that make up the structure of our programmes. Companies belonging to our network participate in project work and master classes; they actively contribute to introducing guest speakers and organising company visits. Our partners are our primary supporters: they sponsor various scholarships, host student internships and provide professional opportunities for graduates.
Bologna Business School partner companies are:
AEROPORTO G. MARCONI ASSICOOP BOLOGNA METROPOLITANA AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI BOLOGNA FIERE BREVINI POWER TRANSMISSION CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI BOLOGNA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI FERRARA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI FORLÌ-CESENA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI MODENA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI RIMINI CAMST CARPIGIANI GROUP CASSA DI RISPARMIO IN BOLOGNA CONFCOMMERCIO EMILIA ROMAGNA CONFINDUSTRIA EMILIA ROMAGNA COSWELL DATALOGIC DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ENEL ENGINEERING INGEGNERIA INFORMATICA EXPERT SYSTEM FALORNI FASTWEB FERRARELLE FERRARI FERRETTI GROUP FINALMA FONDAZIONE CARISBO FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO CESENA FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO DI CENTO FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO DI IMOLA FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI CARPI FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI FERRARA FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI PADOVA E ROVIGO FONDAZIONE G. MARCONI FONDAZIONE IBM ITALIA FONDAZIONE ISABELLA SERÀGNOLI FONDAZIONE DEL MONTE DI BOLOGNA E RAVENNA FONDAZIONE PER LA COLLABORAZIONE TRA I POPOLI FOOD TREND FOUNDATION FURLA GOOGLE ITALIA GRANAROLO GROUPM GRUPPO COESIA GRUPPO SISTEMA H-ART HSPI HAWORTH HERA HORSA IBM ITALIA IMA ICONSULTING INTESA SAN PAOLO KPMG ADVISORY LABORATORI GUGLIELMO MARCONI LANDI RENZO LEGACOOP BOLOGNA LIGHTHOUSE MANUTENCOOP MAPE MAPS MASAI ITALIA MASERATI MICROSOFT ITALIA MONTENEGRO N.C.H. NUOVI CANTIERI APUANIA OLIDATA ONIT GROUP OPERA SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE PHILIP MORRIS ITALIA POLTRONESOFÀ REGIONE EMILIA-ROMAGNA RICOH S.E.C.I. GRUPPO INDUSTRIALE MACCAFERRI SAP SCS CONSULTING STMICROELECTRONICS SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SEPS TECHNOGYM TEUCO THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING ITALIA TREVI GROUP UMBERTO CESARI UNICREDIT UNIEURO UNINDUSTRIA BOLOGNA UNIPOL VEM SISTEMI VERONESI VIABIZZUNO VIDEOWORKS VOLVO CAR ITALIA WPP ITALIA YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP
FEES
The course fee is
- 4.200 Euro (+ vat) for registrations from companies and institutions
- 3.400 Euro (+ vat) for registrations from individuals
There are reduced fees for early registration.
The fee includes attendance of the programme, all study materials available through the online platform and access to Bologna Business School services, which include: personal wi-fi BBS account, use of the Computer Lab PCs, use of the study areas and access to the indoor gym.
Facilities are provided:
- for Business Network companies;
- for BBS Alumni;
- for groups of at least 3 people.
INTERPROFESSIONAL FUNDS
Alumni and companies can check the availability of vouchers at the relevant Interprofessional Fund:
Fondimpresa – for executives/middle management
Fondo Dirigenti PMI – for managers of industrial SMEs
Fonditalia
Fondirigenti – for executives
Fon.Coop – for cooperative companies
REQUIREMENTS
The course is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
APPLICATION PROCESS
FAQs
Yes, there is a certificate upon successful completion of all courses, the final examination and 70% attendance. The certificate will attest to successful completion of the courses and will award 60 university credits (CFU).
The documents used in the classroom and any further reading or exercises will be uploaded to our platform, whose credentials will be delivered in the classroom.
Should a group of colleagues wish to participate in the program, it is possible to contact the Program Manager to evaluate an ad hoc participation price.
Our short courses do not require a specific course of study. It is important to have a few years of work experience behind you that can help you, inside the classroom, by bringing real cases dealt with and solutions adopted during your work.
