TIM Organizes AI, IoT Innovation Contest

Telecom Italia partnered with several organizations to arrange a contest encouraging start-ups, scale-ups, and national and international companies to develop systems enabling utilities and road network operators to capitalize on AI and IoT advances. TIM opened the application process yesterday, with a deadline of 12 September.

The TIM Smart Infrastructure Challenge forms part of the operator’s Open Innovation program and focuses on encouraging public and private energy organizations, water services companies, and road network players to strike partnerships to drive digital transformation. TIM is working with hardware and software provider Arduino, Italian cybersecurity competence center Cyber 4.0, property player eFM, educational facility EIT Digital, the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Centre, and relevant 5G and IoT units with the Politecnico di Milano and SOCOTEC Italia.

The operator explained the initiative is backed by innovation-focused global telecoms operator alliance Alaian. TIM noted action is desirable as use of AI and IoT sensors increases, with systems promoting predictive monitoring a key area of focus. The company quoted research by the Politecnico di Milan’s IoT observatory showing the domestic sector was worth €9.7 billion in 2024.

TIM stated the contest comprises two elements, the first focusing on advanced technologies for diagnosing and controlling the health of critical and complex infrastructures and the second aimed at any type of structure that consumers energy for operation. Systems judged by a jury to be suitable are set to be incorporated into TIM Enterprise’s portfolio.