Roberta is the leader of the European industry research team at IDC. Her responsibilities encompass overseeing research coverage across the full range of sectors, including Energy & Utilities, Resources, Financial Services, Healthcare and Life Science, Government, Infrastructure and Transportation, Manufacturing, and Retail.​

She is also involved in IDC’s Future of Industry Ecosystems and Future of Operations practices as the executive sponsor for Europe. ​

Roberta’s core expertise lies in industry and business transformation, with a distinct emphasis on the energy and utilities sector. She possesses a strong understanding of applying digital technologies to innovate core business processes, enhance customer experiences, and seamlessly integrate IT and operational technology.​

Moreover, drawing from her extensive background in industry research and strategic advisory, Roberta offers insights into industry-specific implications of topics such as artificial intelligence, the future of work, and sustainability. ​

These insights are provided to both technology suppliers and buyers seeking informed guidance.​

Roberta’s contributions extend beyond research and advisory, as she frequently speaks at conferences and moderates discussions. ​

Roberta is based in the IDC Italy office in Milan.​

Giovanni Cervellati is a research manager in IDC Europe’s software group, supporting the European Intelligent Analytics and Data Strategies practice across both research and consulting projects. His core research coverage includes user practices and the cultural aspects of analytics software usage, as well as demand and supply trends in advanced analytics and business intelligence.

A native Italian, he is based in IDC’s Frankfurt office. He has a technical background and worked as an SPSS (IBM) employee as a data mining consultant, performing analysis and training for the Italian market using SPSS products and software. He then became a data scientist working as an independent consultant for some of the biggest corporates in Italy, with a strong focus on predictive analytics and machine learning.

He studied in Bologna, Italy, and has a bachelor’s degree in statistics.

Fabrizio Degni is a distinguished AI Ethics and Governance researcher, technology evangelist, and President of the Italy Chapter for the Global Council for Responsible AI. Guided by his philosophy “Ask not if it can be done, nor how, but only if it should be done,” he is deeply committed to exploring technological frontiers while ensuring AI serves humanity’s common benefit through ethical, transparent, and accountable innovation.

Recent Recognition & Leadership: Degni was honored with the “Premio per l’Impegno Etico nella Cultura Algoritmica” (Award for Ethical Commitment in Algorithmic Culture) at the inaugural AI Awards Italy 2025, hosted by ENTE NAZIONALE per l’INTELLIGENZA ARTIFICIALE – E.N.I.A.® in Milano. This prestigious recognition celebrates his commitment to education and critical reflection on algorithms, ethics, and AI governance. As President of the Italy Chapter for the Global Council for Responsible AI, he leads a growing community of 500+ members across 71 nations dedicated to shaping responsible AI through ethics, transparency, and accountability principles.

 Professional Expertise: As Chief of Artificial Intelligence, Degni’s research focuses on sociotechnical risks introduced by emerging AI technologies, particularly AI agents and autonomous systems. His analysis of AI agent systems in IBM’s 2025 AI Ethics Report highlighted critical challenges of opacity, complexity, and non-reversibility in autonomous systems, contributing to frameworks for evolved governance models and ethical oversight.

 Certifications & Credentials: Degni holds the AI CERTs™: AI+ Executive Certification (scored 90/100, May 2025) and specialized certifications from Stanford University (“AI Awakening: Economic and Society Implications”), edX (“AI Ethics for Professionals”), Copenhagen Business School, Microsoft, and Politecnico di Milano. His advanced credentials include ISO 42001:2023 AI System Management / ISO 9001 certifications and designation as a Certified AI Ethics & Governance Professional (CAEGP).

 Thought Leadership: A frequent speaker and panel participant, Degni recently contributed to the “Alfabetizzazione e Innovazione” (Digital Literacy and Innovation) panel, discussing human and digital memory alongside leading experts. His work encompasses value alignment, bias mitigation, transparency, and actionable governance frameworks for AI implementation across multiple sectors.