Beauty Tech Takes Center Stage at Italy’s Tech Week
Italy’s tech calendar this autumn featured a compelling cross-section of innovation, from AI-driven beauty breakthroughs to the regulated expansion of digital gaming. The Italian Tech Week in Torino highlighted the rapid evolution of Beauty Tech, where cosmetic science blends with data, robotics, and intelligent design. While startup ecosystems, sustainability, and longevity research share the spotlight, the event also underscored how Italy is shaping a more integrated digital economy across sectors.
L’Oréal’s AI-Driven Vision for Skin, Hair, and Longevity
At the heart of the Torino program was a forward-looking parade of Beauty Tech that marries science with computation. Guive Balooch, Global Managing Director of Augmented Beauty & Open Innovation at L’Oréal, described a future where artificial intelligence accelerates discovery and personalization. He explained how AI and advanced modeling are enabling faster identification of promising molecules, potentially shortening development cycles for new beauty solutions.
The company showcased a suite of devices and services that embody this convergence: an infrared-based hair-drying device dubbed AirLight Pro aimed at speed and environmental sustainability, a microneedling-enabled product called Nano Resurfacer, and the in-store diagnostic tool Cell Bio Print that measures biomarkers to guide proactive skin care. Another example is Colorsonic, a device that blends hair color automatically, reducing manual steps for consumers. Balooch stressed that Beauty Tech is not a single gadget but a holistic approach that enhances experiences through data, digital integration, and user-centric design.
A 360° Innovation Model: Data, AI, and Integrated Solutions
Balooch outlined a 360-degree model in which L’Oréal connects data, digital platforms, and hardware to deliver O2O (online-to-offline) beauty experiences that feel elevated yet practical. By leveraging AI, the company is building a pipeline that spans discovery to personalized consumer guidance, while maintaining a focus on performance, safety, and accessibility. The tone was clear: the future of beauty is deeply interwoven with computational biology, predictive analytics, and on-device diagnostics that empower customers to choose the right products for their needs.
Partnerships as the Engine of Change
One striking theme was the role of startups as catalysts for innovation. Balooch noted that in the last year alone, L’Oréal formed more than 150 partnerships with startups across biotech, sustainable cultivation, longevity, and diagnostics. Rather than expanding headcount across every field, the beauty group collaborates with external innovators to extend its reach into new domains and create novel services. The goal is a symbiotic ecosystem where external expertise informs product development, clinical insights, and consumer-centric solutions.
Longevity, In-Store Diagnostics, and Future-ready Products
The Torino talks also spotlighted longevity as a tangible research vector within beauty. L’Oréal highlighted collaborations with TimeLine for longevity supplements and with Senesca to apply AI to mitochondrial biology. A key milestone mentioned was Cell Bio Print, a diagnostic tool designed for in-store use that measures biomarker signals to guide proactive skin care and longevity-focused strategies. Balooch framed these innovations as part of a broader quest to help consumers live longer, healthier lives through smarter, data-driven beauty care.
Codere Italia: Expanding into Online Gaming under Strict Regulation
Parallel to the beauty tech narrative, Codere Italia announced its entry into online gaming, signaling a strategic broadening of its Italian portfolio. The company stressed that the new online offering will operate within the ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli) regulatory framework, reflecting a deliberate emphasis on safety, compliance, and consumer protection. The online platform, codere.it, will complement Codere’s established retail presence and is designed to deliver a cohesive omnichannel experience for customers.
Strategic Partnerships and a Long-term Vision
Codere’s leadership highlighted a commitment to B2B collaborations with partners who manage recharge networks and other digital touchpoints, underscoring a belief in strong alliances as a cornerstone of sustainable growth. With Roberto Russo, Online Director of Codere Italia, emphasizing a robust, scalable platform and a long-term strategy, the firm aims to position itself as a trusted, regulated operator in the evolving Italian market. The emphasis on legality, transparency, and collaboration aligns with Italy’s broader push to cultivate a safe and innovative digital economy.
Broader Implications for Italy’s Innovation Economy
What emerges from this week is a clear signal: Italy is strengthening its role as a hub where beauty science meets AI, diagnostics, and sustainable tech, while also carving out a regulated pathway for digital entertainment. The intersecting narratives—Beauty Tech powered by AI, longevity-focused biomarker tools, and a regulated online gaming market—illustrate a diversified innovation ecosystem that can attract global partnerships, startups, and investment.
Implications for policy, industry, and consumers
For policymakers, the Italy Tech Week offers a blueprint for aligning regulation with rapid technological advances, ensuring consumer protection without stifling experimentation. For industry players, the message is to pursue cross-sector collaborations that accelerate product development and market reach. For consumers, these developments promise more personalized, safer, and more engaging experiences—whether shopping for skincare, monitoring health signals, or enjoying regulated online entertainment.
