Innovation is always social

Every technological innovation is also a social process. It involves people, knowledge, organisations, interests and relationships that must find a balance in order to transform a technical possibility into tangible change. This is the scientific vision that has guided the Fondazione Mondo Digitale throughout its first 25 years and which today offers a framework for addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of the social economy. 
Alfonso Molina, scientific director of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, traced its origins and evolution during the conference “The social economy in the digital age”, organised on 21 October in Rome as part of the celebrations for the Foundation’s twenty-fifth anniversary. His account weaves together scientific research, educational experimentation, social innovation and achievements, culminating in a proposal to recognise digital transformation as a fundamental dimension of the National Plan for the Social Economy.

A dream that becomes a mission
When the initiative that would later become the Fondazione Mondo Digitale was launched in 2001, Molina brought with him a wealth of study and research gained at the University of Edinburgh, where he had taught technological innovation. The aim was ambitious: to contribute to the building of a democratic knowledge society, in which the opportunities offered by scientific and technological progress are accessible to all. “The benefits of knowledge and the benefits of digital technology must be for everyone, without exclusion, without discrimination of any kind,” Molina recalled. “This is our great dream.” From the very beginning, this vision has been reflected in the decision to combine education, innovation and social values. An approach that keeps pace with the evolution of technologies and people’s needs. From the earliest digital literacy courses, when learning to use a computer was a challenge for many people, the Foundation has witnessed the spread of the internet, social media, smartphones and new educational technologies, right up to the current development of artificial intelligence. The mission remains the same, whilst the tools, languages and skills required to achieve it change.

From research to people’s lives
One of the Foundation’s distinctive features is the working method that Molina has brought from academic research to social innovation: action research, development and implementation (Action Research, Development and Implementation). The principle is that scientific knowledge must fuel experimentation and translate into solutions capable of tangibly reaching people. “We decided from the outset that the most important thing [...] is implementation,” explained Molina, emphasising the need to transform ideas into usable activities and tools. Research generates models and knowledge; development translates these into educational programmes, workshops, materials, products and services; implementation allows us to test them in real-world contexts, gather results and continue to learn. 
It is a dynamic process that combines theoretical reflection with practical skills, with a specific aim: to make a difference to people’s lives. 
This approach has also guided the Foundation’s growth, from the definition of its organisational culture to the launch, in 2014, of the Innovation Gym, an integrated learning environment that brings together digital fabrication, robotics, virtual environments, play and experimentation.

Over the years, the model has spread through an ever-widening network of schools, organisations and local communities, making innovation a tangible and shared experience.

Why every innovation is socio-technical
At the heart of Molina’s presentation lies the theoretical framework that has guided his scientific work and the Foundation’s approach. Innovation, he explains, arises from the interaction between technical and social components. The former include tools, technologies and knowledge; the latter concern people, interest groups, organisations and relationships. These elements form a dynamic whole that changes throughout the innovation process. Understanding how this works therefore requires observing both the technology and the context in which it is developed and used. Technology alone does not determine the success of a project. What matters are the available skills, resources, organisational conditions, rules, the interests of those involved and the ability to build a shared vision. This is the concept of the socio-technical construct, which Molina has developed in his studies on innovation and which allows us to view digital transformation as a process in which the technological and human dimensions continually influence one another. This perspective is particularly important today, when artificial intelligence opens up unprecedented possibilities, but also requires new skills, responsibilities and governance capabilities.

The challenge of alignment
A second fundamental concept derives from the socio-technical construct: socio-technical alignment. To bring about innovation, it is necessary to consider various factors that may either facilitate or hinder change. Among the elements to be taken into account, Molina highlighted the organisation’s vision and resources, the maturity of the technology, the regulatory and institutional context, the motivations of those involved, and the presence of other technologies or initiatives – whether collaborative or competitive. An emerging technology, for example, requires different approaches to experimentation than an established one. Similarly, introducing a tool into a school means engaging with the educational organisation, teachers’ skills, pupils’ needs and the practical conditions of use. Innovation thus becomes a game of alignment, in which those promoting change must forge connections, mobilise resources and guide the evolution of the various elements over time. This perspective helps us understand why digital transformation requires much more than simply purchasing technology: it demands planning, participation, learning and the ability to adapt.

Twenty-five years of social innovation
The results presented by Molina illustrate the scale of the journey undertaken by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. Over the past 25 years, the following have been achieved:

• Over 200 projects, dedicated to education, inclusion and social innovation.
• Over 2 million people involved, with a particular focus on young people, older people and those in vulnerable circumstances.
• Over 150 scientific and educational publications.
• Over 50,000 members of the Digital Academy, which offers free training opportunities.

These figures illustrate the gradual transformation of research into programmes, tools and educational pathways capable of reaching diverse audiences. From digital literacy to educational robotics, from career guidance to employability skills, right through to artificial intelligence, the Foundation has continued to explore new ways of making knowledge accessible and fostering participation. The common thread is the conviction that innovation creates value when it succeeds in engaging people and strengthening communities.

A new challenge for the social economy

In the concluding part of his speech, Molina linked the Foundation’s experience to the prospects opened up by the National Plan for the Social Economy. The digital transition and artificial intelligence are also profoundly transforming this sector: from organisational structures to services, from professional skills to relations with citizens. For this reason, according to Molina, the Plan must incorporate a holistic vision of digital transformation, recognising its cross-cutting nature across the activities and objectives of the social economy. The challenge concerns both the organisations’ capacity to innovate and the contribution they can make towards building a more inclusive society. The experience gained by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale points to a possible path: starting from scientific knowledge, developing tools and models, testing them in real-world contexts, and forging alliances capable of supporting change. After 25 years, the democratic knowledge society remains the Foundation’s guiding vision. In the age of artificial intelligence, this means continuing to work to ensure that new technologies become accessible, sustainable and responsible opportunities, placing people and their ability to participate in the future at the centre.