4 Feb 2026
Restaurant Petri
IDC & Avanade Executive Dinner
From AI Readiness to Results: Driving Operational & Customer Value
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Over the past 12 months, being AI-ready has become any company’s top business priority. Yet, despite growing investment, few organizations have achieved measurable transformation. IDC data shows that while companies are running an average of 40 AI proofs of concept (PoCs), only 1 in 8 successfully transitions to production.
The next phase of AI is about moving from pilot to execution. According to IDC, 48% of European organizations are prioritizing investments to enhance their data readiness—recognizing that trusted, secure, and well-governed data is the foundation for scaling AI. At the same time, companies are focusing on compliance, security, and operational resilience, while also reducing deployment and operations costs. Organizations that align AI strategy with business outcomes are redefining productivity, customer experience, and competitive advantage. From modernization of the existing architecture to AI governance, success depends on bridging the gap between technical readiness and enterprise-wide implementation.
Most business leaders are now asking how to scale AI adoption, overcome legacy system barriers, and ensure data and security readiness to unlock true business value—while improving customer and employee experiences. CEOs and business leaders should collaborate with IT, driving operational efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth through secure, scalable AI that enhances both business performance and customer engagement. Critical factors for AI-driven value generation include a clear strategy and roadmap aligned with business outcomes, strong data foundations, close collaboration with technology partners, and a commitment to organizational excellence through skills development and responsible AI practices.
Key Topics
Join this interactive, peer-led conversation to explore how to turn AI readiness into measurable business and experience impact—by transforming data, operations, and customer journeys through trusted, scalable AI.
- Where does your organization stand on the AI and data-readiness journey?
- How can organizations overcome legacy and business challenges to accelerate AI adoption securely and responsibly?
- How will you measure its impact on growth, efficiency, and customer experience?
Speakers
Ornella Urso
Research Director, IDC Retail Insights
IDC
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Ornella Urso
Ornella Urso is Head of IDC’s Retail Insights team and leads the Customer Experience research group in Europe. Urso conducts market research, industry analysis, and proactively contributes to the definition of thought-leadership at the intersection of businesses priorities and technology innovation in B2C and D2C strategy companies. In her role, she is responsible for the delivery of research reports, custom projects and offers strategic direction and advice to both technology providers and IT and business executives of global brands.
She leads the Worldwide Retail Customer Experience Strategies program and contributes to the Worldwide Retail Commerce and Direct-to-Consumer research, with a focus on EMEA-specific retail and consumer good companies’ business models strategy roadmap, technology investments and use cases across segments and countries.
Beyond retail, her cross-industry research focus is on customer experience, customer data platforms, immersive shopping, real-time personalization, commerce platforms, loyalty and CRM.
She has more than 10 years’ experience in various research fields, developing qualitative and quantitative research methods. She delivers keynote speeches at international conferences and moderated seminars and panels while contributing to research dissemination.
Prior to joining IDC, Urso was involved as lead consultant and project manager in European research projects commissioned by European agencies and developed in collaboration with international teams in Europe and the US.
Urso has a PhD in political and social science from the Scuola Normale Superiore, and studied with the Technical University of Lisbon and the European University Institute.
She is based in the IDC Italy office in Milan.
Event Sessions
Tuesday, November 18 2025 9:00 pm | Location:
Summary of discussions and key takeaways
Tuesday, November 18 2025 5:50 pm | Location:
IDC & Avanade Welcome Address
Carl Nyman
Country Manager
Avanade
Read Bio
Carl Nyman
Event Sessions
Tuesday, November 18 2025 9:00 pm | Location:
Summary of discussions and key takeaways
Tuesday, November 18 2025 5:50 pm | Location:
IDC & Avanade Welcome Address
Agenda
IDC & Avanade Executive Dinner
One day event
Champagne Reception
Guest arrival with welcome drinks and networking
IDC & Avanade Welcome Address
Ornella Urso
Research Director, IDC Retail Insights, IDC
Carl Nyman
Country Manager, Avanade
Starter Courses – First Discussion Topic
- Where does your organization stand on the AI and data-readiness journey?
- What are the biggest barriers you face in moving from pilot to production?
Main Course – Second Discussion Topic
- How can organizations overcome legacy and business challenges to accelerate AI adoption securely and responsibly?
- What are the key enablers – people, process, and technology – to ensure AI creates real operational and customer experience value?
Dessert – Third Discussion Topic
- What does successful AI execution look like in your organization by 2026?
- How will you measure its impact on growth, efficiency, and customer experience?
Summary of discussions and key takeaways
Ornella Urso
Research Director, IDC Retail Insights, IDC
Carl Nyman
Country Manager, Avanade
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