The Uncharted Horizon: A Cross-Discipline Dialogue on AI, Quantum Frontiers, Capital Strategy and The Future of Leadership

IPN event hosted by Luiss Business School Amsterdam Hub on Septembre 30, 2026.

Do we truly understand what AI is? How must organizations adapt to implement it effectively? Will quantum computing genuinely mark a quantum leap in artificial intelligence? Where should private capital and public investment focus to achieve concrete results and generate added value? And what leadership capabilities are required to navigate this uncharted territory?

We addressed these questions and more during this new IPN event, organized in collaboration with Luiss Business School. The event, hosted by the Luiss Business School – Amsterdam Hub was followed by a networking session with drinks and appetizers.

Event Agenda (speaker profiles below)

19:00

Welcome to Luiss Business School by Joris Ebbers (Dean Luiss Business School Amsterdam Hub)
Introduction by Vincenzo Toscani (Founder Italian Professionals Netherlands)

19:05
Beyond the AI chatbox – Cristina Rutgers-Astolfi –
Demystifying the magic; AI: conscious entity? The shift from reactive prompts to proactive task execution and the industry-wide impact of the intelligent revolution.

19:20
Quantum AI computing – Riccardo Molteni – Quantum Machine Learning Researcher at Leiden
University
Introduction to Riccardo’s research (just a bit technical).
The sectors and areas where Quantum Computing supporting AI will generate added value and benefits.
Hypothetical results and risks. What is missing to get there: the funding challenge.

19:35
Investing in AI startups – Giovanni Pazienza (Excellis Ventures).
Where and how do startups find the capital they need to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses? Giovanni will explore the funding landscape for deep-tech startups, with a particular focus on AI-based companies, and introduce a new Venture Capital fund dedicated to deep-tech ventures founded by Italians abroad.

19:50
Leadership in the Age of AI – Hylke Sprangers (Luiss Business School), international expert in digital and technology with a strong background in strategy, innovation, and governance.
The four essential dimensions of AI leadership: examining future business impact, shaping AI technology strategy, redesigning operating models, and board decision-making. What the challenges, trade-offs, and possible solutions are from a leadership perspective.

20:05 → 20:30 Q&A

20:30 → 21:30 Light Rinfresco / Networking

Practical information:

ADDRESS:
Luiss Business School Amsterdam
Nieuwe Herengracht 103, 1011 RZ, Amsterdam

DIRECTIONS:
Car: parking in P Markenhoven, Anne Frankstraat 220, 1011 MP Amsterdam
Public Transport: metro 51, 53 or 54, get off at stop Waterlooplein station

ADDITIONAL INFO:
Italian Professionals Netherlands (IPN) website
https://www.italianprofessionals.net/

Luiss Business School – NextGen Tech Leaders Executive Program
https://businessschool.luiss.it/nextgen-tech-leaders/

Our Speakers:

Cristina Rutgers-Astolfi – Founder of C. Rutgers-Astolfi Advisory, supporting organisations through transformations in data, AI and customer experience.
She was previously Global Head of Analytics for IKEA Customer Service and has more than 20 years of international experience across technology and retail, including leadership roles at HP.
She recently completed the MIT AI for Senior Executives programme. Cristina is also part of SER Topvrouwen, the network for women leaders of the Netherlands’ Social and Economic Council (Sociaal-Economische Raad).

Riccardo Molteni – PhD candidate in Quantum Machine Learning at Leiden University. His research explores how quantum computers can enhance machine learning and when they may offer advantages over classical approaches.

Giovanni Pazienza, PhD – Investor and strategy advisor to startups across Europe, with 25 years of experience spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and private business. He holds a PhD in Neural Networks and has worked across five countries outside Italy. He is a founding partner of Excellis Ventures, an investment fund focused on deep-tech companies created by Italians abroad.

Hylke Sprangers – Professor of Practice in Technology and Innovation at Luiss Business School. He is an international expert in digital and technology with a strong background in strategy, innovation, and governance. Previously, he was Group CTO and Board Member at Talpa Network, a global media and entertainment company, well known for its talent competition The Voice. Before joining Talpa, he held several senior executive roles in the technology industry.

Here the link to the page of Tech Leadership Program

IPN members benefit from a 10% discount on the tuition fee, which can be obtained by sending an email with subject LCODE26 at italianprofessionals@gmail.com (please specify the name of the person who wants to benefit of the special conditions).

NextGen Tech Leadership Program (Luiss Business School)

https://businessschool.luiss.it/nextgen-tech-leaders/