Artificial intelligence in the future of healthcare

24/02/2026

4 min.

National programme to train 50,000 healthcare professionals

Faced with the challenges posed by staff shortages and growing demand for care, Johnson & Johnson is launching “Il Futuro della Cura” (The Future of Care) with Microsoft Italy, a national training programme on artificial intelligence for healthcare professionals. Developed in collaboration with Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, the project aims to strengthen the skills of 50,000 operators throughout the country, providing them with critical capabilities and operational and digital skills to consciously and responsibly integrate AI into everyday clinical practice.

Produced under the patronage of Farmindustria and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, the programme supports the modernisation of the National Health Service by investing in people as the true enablers of innovation. The focus is on providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI safely, ethically and effectively into everyday clinical practice, in line with the collective values of fairness, quality and sustainability of care.

Addressing structural challenges in healthcare through skills

European and Italian healthcare systems are currently facing structural challenges such as an ageing population and the growing burden of chronic diseases, as well as pressure on economic sustainability and a shortage of qualified personnel – in a context where artificial intelligence and digital technologies are redefining organisational models and care processes. Evidence shows that citizens increasingly expect healthcare professionals to be able to integrate clinical and technological skills, while healthcare workers express a strong interest in digital transformation, but with a clear need for structured training and support. In this scenario, digital skills are the real enabler of innovation. In the context of the “Future of Care” project, training is a systemic lever for improving resilience, efficiency and quality within the National Health Service.

A training model in line with national priorities
The programme aims to strengthen three key skills among healthcare professionals:

FMD ACADEMDigital literacy, to understand AI and digital health tools;
Critical thinking skills in evaluating AI outputs, to ensure informed decisions that are always guided by humans;
Operational expertise, to integrate AI solutions into real clinical workflows.

Training is delivered through a hybrid training model, combining face-to-face and online sessions, a dedicated digital platform, video modules, in-depth discussions with experts from Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft Italy, national events and local initiatives. This approach allows for scalability, while promoting local involvement and alignment with different regional healthcare contexts.

Responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence
The programme promotes the conscious and responsible use of AI, with a particular focus on human oversight, output quality, data protection, bias and the traceability of clinical decisions. By strengthening these skills, the initiative helps public institutions ensure that AI reinforces, rather than replaces, the role of healthcare professionals and safeguards the doctor-patient relationship.

Institutional commitment to developing the skills of healthcare professionals
The initiative is part of J&J CareCommunity, Johnson & Johnson's global social impact platform, designed to promote equitable access to quality care by supporting healthcare workers. It is also part of Microsoft Elevate, a global initiative that leverages Microsoft's solutions and expertise to expand access to new technologies, providing individuals and organisations with the training, tools and support they need to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

Supporting the modernisation of the National Health Service
Thanks to large-scale investment in skills development, “Il Futuro della Cura” contributes to the policy objectives shared by national and regional institutions: strengthening healthcare personnel, supporting digital transformation and ensuring that innovation serves equity, sustainability and quality of care within the National Health Service.

TG2 news report, 6.15 p.m. edition

Jacopo Murzi, Renato Brunetti e Vincenzo Esposito

Statements

Investing in skills means helping to build a more resilient system that is capable of responding to future emergencies and challenges, more inclusive and equitable, guaranteeing access to care for all, and more effective, efficient and sustainable thanks to better use of resources. This commitment reflects our desire to enhance the professions that are central to the functioning of the healthcare system and, at the same time, to contribute to the development of a more robust and sustainable healthcare ecosystem."
Jacopo Murzi, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Italia.

"Artificial intelligence has the potential to profoundly transform the healthcare sector. However, to fully seize the opportunities it offers, it is essential to invest in skills. We are excited about this new project with Johnson & Johnson and Fondazione Mondo Digitale, as part of our global Microsoft Elevate programme. Our ambition is to transform innovations into concrete opportunities for the country's growth, providing people and organisations with the tools and skills they need to benefit fully from them. Supporting the training of healthcare professionals means contributing to the innovation of the healthcare system and building a future in which care is more efficient, accessible and effective for all citizens."
Vincenzo Esposito, Managing Director of Microsoft Italia

In healthcare, new technologies and artificial intelligence represent an extraordinary opportunity to improve efficiency, response times and access to care. This transformation does not replace professionals, but it does require continuous investment in updating their skills. ‘The Future of Care’ was created to enhance training, guiding healthcare personnel towards the informed use of AI and digital technologies, with the aim of improving quality of life and contributing to the development of a more equitable, resilient and sustainable healthcare system."
Mirta Michilli, Director General of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS.

"Digital innovation must be an ally of professionals. In Parliament, we are working to ensure that the ongoing transformation truly strengthens local healthcare, the management of chronic conditions and support for operators. Helping healthcare professionals acquire new skills means enabling healthcare personnel to offer increasingly qualified services for the well-being of patients. Projects such as “The Future of Care” respond to this need: they equip the system with the skills necessary to integrate AI into care pathways and make it a tool that meets the real needs of citizens."
Hon. Luciano Ciocchetti, Vice-President of the Social Affairs Committee, Chamber of Deputies.

"La sinergia tra scienza e tecnologia crea una forte discontinuità rispetto al passato, che si somma al vorticoso cambiamento geoeconomico. L’Intelligenza Artificiale è l’innovazione che sta ridefinendo il modo con cui le aziende farmaceutiche fanno ricerca, sviluppano, producono e rendono accessibili farmaci e vaccini: a livello globale osserviamo una crescita fino al +300% delle molecole in sviluppo e una riduzione dei tempi di ricerca preclinica fino al -40% grazie all’AI. E la trasformazione digitale sta ridefinendo anche il modo con cui gestiamo l’assistenza sanitaria, ci prendiamo cura di noi stessi e degli altri, programmiamo la spesa e ne misuriamo gli esiti. Sono tecnologie che possono dispiegare i propri effetti positivi solo facendo crescere e aggiornando le competenze: per questo la politica della formazione è parte della politica industriale e di quella sanitaria. Investire nelle persone significa investire nell’Italia. Programmi come quello presentato oggi favoriscono inoltre un approccio condiviso tra attori pubblici e privati, a beneficio dell’efficienza del sistema e dell’accesso alle cure”.
Carlo Riccini, direttore generale di Farmindustria

Artificial intelligence certainly offers enormous potential to support the healthcare sector, from prevention and early diagnosis to the management of chronic conditions, but at the same time it requires solid skills, secure data management and dedicated investment. For years now, I have been committed to ensuring that national resources and strategies support responsible, patient-oriented digital transformation. That is why events like this are so welcome, because “The Future of Care” cannot ignore the use of new technologies, just as it cannot ignore the new challenges we will face."
Senator Beatrice Lorenzin, Budget Committee, Senate of the Republic.

"Artificial intelligence undoubtedly represents an opportunity to strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of the National Health Service, but clear governance is needed, based on evidence and helping healthcare professionals to free themselves from administrative burdens so they can devote more time to patient care. The value of innovation arises when technology supports the work of professionals, improving the appropriateness and planning of care and resources. Investing in skills therefore means putting the system in the best position to embrace the transformation offered by innovation, with measurable benefits for citizens. It is precisely for these reasons that the Minister of Health is working to improve the training of healthcare professionals, defining appropriate guidelines for this purpose.
Francesco Saverio Mennini, Head of the Department of Planning, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Policies in favour of the NHS, Ministry of Health

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Artificial intelligence in the future of healthcare