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OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

AI Agents Are the Next Game-Changer in the Education Space
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
August 07, 2025 · min read

In many ways, the concept of education has remained the same over the millennia – the experienced and learned passing on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. And some of the biggest revolutions in teaching and learning have been brought about by technology: from the printing press to computers to the internet, they have all changed and democratized the process of teaching and learning. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the next big game-changer.

The emerging role of AI agents in education is the subject of a new e-book released by the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT). Going beyond simple AI tools, such as ChatGPT’s generative AI, the e-book looks at how sophisticated AI agents can be deployed as education allies, both in the general sense and referencing OPIT’s AI Copilot as a specific case study.

So, what can you expect to learn from OPIT’s e-book?

What Are AI Agents?

The e-book starts by explaining the concept of AI Agents. These are AI tools that go beyond simple “if a then x but if b then y” reasoning. Instead, they can work autonomously towards specified goals, with very little need for user intervention. To achieve this, the AI Agent must be able to perceive, make decisions, act, and adapt.

What those four steps look like in action depends on how the AI Agent is employed. Let’s take the example of an AI Agent deployed to deliver IT support, integrated with the IT system’s knowledge and user management system.

The AI Agent will perceive the nature of the problem from requests for help submitted by users, reading and understanding written requests, and also potentially gathering data directly from devices if they are networked. It then integrates this input with its IT system knowledge to understand the nature of the problem and the required solution.

The AI Agent will then decide the best way to solve the problem and plan what steps need to be taken. It should then be able to act. For example, it can verify the user’s identity and begin the password reset process, send detailed information to the user explaining how to solve the problem, or issue a ticket with the important information to the appropriate human IT specialist.

Based on outcomes, the AI Agent will assess its success in completing this task and incorporate that information into its knowledge base.

As well as saving time and money on these tasks, AI Agents can be more efficient, as they work continuously and reduce human error, especially for repetitive and mundane tasks. Scalability is another advantage of AI Agents, as they can be easily scaled up or down when workloads fluctuate.

AI Agents in Education

AI Agents can be deployed in education scenarios to achieve a number of different tasks, which is something that OPIT is doing with its OPIT AI Copilot.

These can be programmed to work as virtual teachers or study assistants that are available 24/7 and deliver personalized learning plans. For example, the OPIT AI Copilot is trained on OPIT’s library of educational content, including over 5,000 lectures and 3,500 hours of video content across 131 courses. From this base, it can show students the content they need to study based on their current stage in the course and answer questions posed by the student through a natural language interface.

If the student is struggling with concepts, the AI Agent can produce alternative learning materials that may work better with the student’s learning style. For advanced students, it can bring in related content that connects to their interests and understanding.

The AI Agent can help students prepare for exams by creating practice tests and issuing grades, even for long-form answers based on factors such as grammatical accuracy and the presence of essential concepts in the response. This kind of immediate feedback has been shown to improve student results over time.

The AI Agent is also useful for teachers, who can use it for grading simple tests and as a fairness check when grading large numbers of more complex papers. It can alert teachers when students are struggling and might benefit from direct intervention, and can identify course materials that are proving problematic for the cohort as a whole, flagging them up for review.

There are many other potential applications, such as creating virtual tours of lost or distant historical sites, virtual discussion moderation, resource gathering for assignments, and organizing references in the required format.

The Benefits of AI Agents in Education

The e-book takes a deep look at both the benefits and potential issues of AI in education. Some of the clearest benefits are personalized learning that moves beyond “one-size-fits-all” approaches and improved accessibility. At the same time, there are concerns around algorithmic bias impacting learning and reduced critical thinking due to over-reliance on AI tools.

But this is why the e-book emphasizes that AI is not a replacement for human teachers, but a tool that can be used to enhance the learning environment. OPIT devotes a chapter to discussing how teachers are becoming curators of dynamic teaching environments that leverage a variety of tools, including AI, to create stimulating and accessible learning spaces.

Essential to this is teaching students how to work with AI, when it is appropriate and when it can be a hindrance, and how to critically assess the content produced and delivered by AI. This is an essential skill for the future as AI becomes more prevalent in every aspect of our lives, and we must critically assess its outputs.

AI Agents Empowering Learning

Overall, the e-book assesses how AI Agents are being leveraged to empower both teachers and students in the education space. The recently released OPIT AI Copilot is one of the examples discussed in the e-book, but it is just the beginning. We fully expect more complex and sophisticated education AI Agents to emerge as the AI Agents, teachers, and students gain a better understanding of their capabilities. It is an exciting time to be in education.

Download the OPIT e-book AI in Education.

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Authority Magazine: Paola Tirelli of RWS Group on the Future of Artificial Intelligence
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
August 04, 2025 · min read

Source:

By Kate Mowbray, 7 min read


“To engage more women in the AI industry, I believe we need to start by highlighting the diversity of roles available. Not all of them are purely technical. AI needs linguists, designers, ethicists, project managers, and many other profiles. Showing that there’s space for different kinds of expertise can make the field feel more accessible. We also need more visible role models: women who are leading, innovating, and mentoring in AI.”

As part of our series about the future of Artificial Intelligence, I had the pleasure of interviewing Paola Tirelli, linguistic AI specialist with RWS Group. Paola is also an MSc in Applied Data Science and AI graduate of OPIT — Open Institute of Technology, a global online educational institution.

With over a decade in translation and project management, Paola is passionate about integrating technology with language services. She considers bridging language barriers and leading teams to success her strength.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue this career path in AI?

Mybackground is in linguistics and localization, and I’ve spent years working with translation, quality assurance, and automation tools. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of language and technology. The turning point came when I realized I had reached a plateau in my role and felt a strong urge to grow, contribute more meaningfully, and understand the changes reshaping the industry.

That curiosity naturally led me to AI, a space where my linguistic expertise could meet innovation. I began to see how powerful AI could be in solving specific challenges in localization, especially around quality and efficiency. This inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Applied Data Science and AI at OPIT, to deepen my skills and explore how to bridge my domain knowledge with the new tools AI offers.

What lessons can others learn from your story?

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. You don’t need to have a technical background from the start to enter the AI field. With strong motivation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, you can go very far.

Embracing your own expertise, whatever it may be, can actually become your greatest asset. AI isn’t just about code and algorithms; it’s about solving real-world problems, and that requires diverse perspectives. If you’re driven by purpose and open to growth, you can not only adapt to change, but you can help shape it.

Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?

What I find most exciting about my current work is the opportunity to experiment and explore where AI can truly be a game changer in the localization space. I’m particularly interested in projects that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, initiatives involving massive amounts of data or complex workflows that no client would have considered feasible due to time, cost, or resource constraints. Thanks to AI, we can now approach these challenges in entirely new ways, unlocking value and enabling solutions that were previously out of reach, such as automated terminology extraction or adapting content across different language variants.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I’m especially grateful to the person who would later become my manager, Marina Pantcheva. At the time, I had already started my Master’s at OPIT and was looking for the right direction to apply what I was learning. I knew I wanted to stay within my company, but I wasn’t sure where to focus.

Then I attended a talk she gave on AI. It was clear, engaging, and incredibly inspiring. It felt like a calling. I knew I wanted to work with her and be part of her team. When I eventually joined the AI team, she believed in my potential from the start. She gave me the space to ask questions, explore ideas, and gradually take on more responsibility. That trust and support made all the difference. It helped me grow into this new field with confidence and purpose.

What are the 5 things that most excite you about the AI industry? Why?

· We’re writing the future — AI is still in its early stages, and we don’t yet know the limits of what it can do. Being part of this journey feels like contributing to something truly transformative.

· Unthinkable opportunities are now possible — Tasks that once required enormous manual effort or were simply out of reach due to scale or complexity are now achievable. AI opens doors to projects that were previously unimaginable.

· Access to knowledge like never before — AI enhances how we interact with information, making it faster and more intuitive to explore, learn, and apply knowledge across domains.

· Cross-disciplinarity — AI touches every field, so it’s full of opportunities for people from different backgrounds.

· Problem-solving at scale — AI can help automate tedious tasks and improve decision-making in complex workflows.

What are the 5 things that concern you about the AI industry? Why?

· AI systems are not 100% reliable, and their outputs can sometimes be inaccurate or misleading. This raises questions about how much we can (or should) trust them, especially in high-stakes contexts.

· As we integrate AI into more aspects of our work and lives, there’s a risk of becoming overly reliant on it, potentially at the expense of human judgment, creativity, and critical thinking.

· If we delegate too much to machines, we may gradually lose some of our own cognitive abilities, like problem-solving, memory, or even language skills, simply because we’re not exercising them as much.

· Without clear communication and reskilling strategies, AI can be perceived as a threat rather than a tool. This fear can create resistance and anxiety, especially in industries undergoing rapid transformation.

· From bias in algorithms to the misuse of generative tools, the ethical challenges are real. We need strong frameworks to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly, with transparency and accountability.

As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists, (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,) about whether advanced AI poses an existential danger to humanity. What is your position about this?

I think it’s important to separate science fiction from science. While I don’t believe current AI poses an existential threat, I do believe that we need to be very intentional about how we develop and use it. The real risks today are more about misuse, bias, and lack of transparency than about a doomsday scenario.

What can be done to prevent such concerns from materializing? And what can be done to assure the public that there is nothing to be concerned about?

Transparency and education are key. We need to involve more people in the conversation; not just engineers, but also linguists, ethicists, teachers, and everyday users. Clear communication about what AI can and cannot do would help build trust. Regulation also has to catch up with the speed of innovation, without stifling it.

As you know, there are not many women in the AI industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women into the AI industry?

My perception is slightly different, because I come from the localization industry, where there’s a strong presence of women. So, when I transitioned into AI, I brought with me a sense of belonging and confidence that not everyone may feel when entering a more male-dominated space.

To engage more women in the AI industry, I believe we need to start by highlighting the diversity of roles available. Not all of them are purely technical. AI needs linguists, designers, ethicists, project managers, and many other profiles. Showing that there’s space for different kinds of expertise can make the field feel more accessible. We also need more visible role models: women who are leading, innovating, and mentoring in AI.

Representation matters. When you see someone like you doing something you thought was out of reach, it becomes easier to imagine yourself there too.

What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?

It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” by George Eliot.

This quote really resonated with me when I decided to shift my career path toward AI. Starting a Master’s in Applied Data Science and AI while working full-time wasn’t easy, but that quote gave me the courage to step into a field that initially felt far from my comfort zone, and to trust that my unique background could actually be a strength, not a limitation.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

If I could start a movement, it would focus on democratizing access to AI education and tools, especially for people from non-technical backgrounds. I truly believe that AI should not be limited to engineers or data scientists. It has the potential to empower professionals from all fields, from linguists to educators to healthcare workers. I’d love to see a world where people feel confident using AI not just as a tool, but as a partner in creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, regardless of their background, gender, or location.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I usually share updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paola-tirelli-9abbb32a9/

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

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EFMD Global: AI agent supports students and staff
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
August 04, 2025 · min read

Source:

By Stephanie Mullins, 3 min read


OPIT – Open Institute of Technology, a global online educational institution, has launched its very own AI agent: OPIT AI Copilot. The institution is among the first in Europe to introduce a custom AI assistant for students and faculty.

OPIT’s founder and director is Riccardo Ocleppo, who previously studied at top business schools including London Business School and INSEAD. He founded OPIT to democratise access to high-quality higher education in the fields that will be in high demand in the coming decades, particularly those in tech, such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, etc.  

According to the recent GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey 2025 report, employers are placing increasing value on knowledge of how to use AI tools when hiring for roles. This indicates the relevance of an education in tech in today’s business landscape, and the adoption of an AI assistant is designed to benefit students within their own AI and tech education.

Speaking on the OPIT AI Copilot, Ocleppo says, “We want to put technology at the service of higher education. We’re ready to develop solutions not only for our own students, but also to share with other global institutions that are eager to innovate the learning experience, to face a future in education that’s fast approaching.” 

An integrated AI assistant for smarter learning and teaching

Developed by an in-house team of faculty, engineers, and researchers, OPIT AI Copilot has been trained on OPIT’s entire educational archive developed over the past three years. Due to this, OPIT AI Copilot can provide responses that adapt in real-time to the student’s progress, offering direct links to referenced sources within the virtual learning environment.

It can also “see” exactly where the student is in their course modules, avoids revealing information from unreleased modules, and provides consistent guidance for a fully integrated learning experience. During exams, it switches to “anti-cheating” mode, detecting the exam period and automatically transitioning from a study assistant to basic research tool, disabling direct answers on exam topics. 

OPIT AI Copilot also supports faculty and staff by grading assignments and generating educational materials, freeing up resources for teaching. It offers professors and tutors self-assessment tools and feedback rubrics that cut correction time by up to 30%. 

The AI assistant was unveiled during the event “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” hosted at Microsoft Italia in Milan in June 2025, bringing together representatives from some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions to discuss the impact of AI in education. This featured talks from founder and director Ocleppo alongside OPIT Rector Francesco Profumo, as well as talks from Danielle Barrios O’Neill from the Royal College of Art and Francisco Machin from IE University. 

Through live demos and panel discussions, the event explored how the technological revolution is redefining study, teaching, and interaction between students, educators, and institutions, opening new possibilities for the future of higher education. 

 “We’re in the midst of a deep transformation, where AI is no longer just a tool: it’s an environment, a context that radically changes how we learn, teach, and create. But we must be cautious: it’s not a shortcut. It’s a cultural, ethical, and pedagogical challenge, and to meet it we need the courage to shift perspectives, rethink traditional models, and build solid bridges between human and artificial intelligence,” says Professor Profumo. 

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Work 2.0: Identity, AI, and the End of Career Scripts
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
July 31, 2025 · min read

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is a new concept in higher education that aims to equip people for a fast-changing work landscape characterized by rapidly evolving technology. This goes beyond deep training in trending technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity to reframing our approach to work and how we envision the future of work.

As part of that ongoing discussion, Stefania Tabi from OPIT Career Services sat down with Matteo Roversi, Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer at Cosmico, to talk about how we need to reframe our approach to work to thrive in the future workplace.

Founded in 2020, Cosmico is an Italian-based talent platform that uses AI-powered technology to connect talent – currently a pool of more than 27,000 independent professionals – with the businesses that need them, including many of Europe’s biggest companies. The platform uses AI for talent screening, matching, and recommendations, as well as to assess coding skills. This can reduce the time from request to screening, interview, proposal, and kick-off to between 24 and 72 hours, letting businesses move faster.

New Rules

Matteo started by discussing the aspects of the work landscape that have fundamentally changed over the last decade, and how this is forcing us to reframe our approach to standing out in the workplace.

CV to Reputation

He explained that while for many potential employees, the main concern used to be populating your CV with the relevant skills and experience to land your next job, that is becoming increasingly meaningless. AI can be used to tailor your CV exactly to what a job description wants, bearing in mind that the description was probably also written by AI and will be assessed by AI. As a result, matching CVs to job descriptions has become an increasingly unreliable way to find desirable candidates.

This has shifted the focus to reputation, as it is increasingly important that people are familiar with your work and know people who can recommend you to get your foot in the door.

Execution to Agency

It used to be that your objective was fulfilling the tasks on a job description, which required intelligence and experience, but not necessarily a significant amount of self-direction. That is changing as new ways of solving problems continue to emerge. Today, businesses want employees who have agency and take the initiative to solve problems. In a way, today, everyone needs the self-starter mindset of an entrepreneur.

Specialization to Deep Generalism

In recent years, the work landscape has been about specialization in specific fields and technologies. But Matteo explained how that focus is disappearing. Technology is moving so quickly that specialist software, coding languages, and algorithms are becoming obsolete, or the work previously required is being automated through AI.

Therefore, today, instead of a focused specialization, applicants need deep generalism, with not only a broad understanding of the technological landscape but a deep understanding of how technology can be leveraged to connect different fields of work, solve problems, and judge decisions.

Hours to Progression

The trend of moving away from paying for hours worked to the product being delivered will only become more pronounced, Matteo explained. Things that once took hours can now be delivered within minutes, but that doesn’t necessarily diminish the value of that delivery.

He explained how we need to think of ourselves as mind athletes. For instance, a sprinter may compete for a little over 10 seconds in their principal race, but they spend vast amounts of time in deep training. This is what professionals must do now: invest in their knowledge base so that they can deliver. As an extension of this, just like athletes, professionals need to focus on recovery. No one is a machine, and we cannot be delivering constantly.

Compete to Create

Matteo explained how the workplace mindset has long been one of competition, with talent competing for a finite number of jobs. But as jobs disappear and emerge rapidly, the field of competition changes significantly, and the market no longer feels finite. He also suggested that the best way to find the job that you want is to create it, rather than wait for someone else to make it for you (and then compete for it).

Taking Charge of Your Career

Having looked in detail at how the work landscape is changing, Matteo then shifted gears and shared his best advice for creating the job that you want.

Shift to AI Mode

He started by pointing out that you need to leverage the available technology to stay competitive, especially AI. But you have to do this in a way that increases your productivity and enhances the value of your contribution. He suggests that people embrace and test technologies and automate where possible by delegating. But delegating should go beyond simple tasks to orchestrating processes. When this is in place, you can reshape your vision of your contribution by identifying what you do that machines cannot replicate.

Build Your Work Stack

Once you have identified your value, Matteo explains how to reform what you offer. Start by thinking of yourself as a company rather than a job description. Don’t tell people what you do, but tell them the problems that you solve. Once this is in place, you can build your presence and your audience by making yourself accessible, both online and offline. This helps you grow your network by actively seeking mentors and peers.

Write Daily, Ship Weekly, Share Always

Matteo emphasized that work must be public to build your reputation, an important factor already discussed in his review of the work landscape. To this end, he suggests writing daily, which means spending at least 15 minutes a day focused on your problem. This should result in something you can “ship” every week to maintain your visibility, and always share to build your profile.

Level Up Your Purpose

Matteo agreed with the advice that to thrive in your work, you need to have purpose, but also agreed with the suggestion that people who say to follow your passion are usually already rich and have a safety net in place for failure. He suggested that your purpose changes according to your circumstances and that you should aim to cycle through these different phases.

  • Survival – When you need to pay your bills, you need to find clients and sell your work
  • Status – Once you have a stable base, you can focus on gaining recognition for your work and attracting clients to you
  • Creativity – While many people stop at the status phase, this is the moment to stretch yourself and push out of your comfort zone to do something new
  • Contribution – This is the ultimate phase when you can scale up the impact of your work

Preparing for the Future of Work With OPIT

One theme that came through clearly in Matteo’s discussion was the importance of investing in yourself. This is because you are no longer simply being asked to fulfill a job description; you need to frame yourself as a problem-solver who adds value. In today’s work landscape, this means understanding tech trends and their impact on the business landscape. Making that leap can start with OPIT. We offer bachelor’s courses for those looking to build a strong technical foundation and master’s courses for professionals looking to reframe their value proposition.

Discover OPIT’s accessible and fit-for-purpose programs today.

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Upskilling Without Stepping Back: Combining Work and Study
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
July 24, 2025 · min read

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) was developed not only to create dynamic technology-focused courses that evolve with real-world tech development, offering flexible degrees that allow professionals to expand their horizons without interrupting their careers. But what does that look like in practice?

Rinaldo Festa recently shared his experience completing OPIT’s BSc in Modern Computer Science while working as the Chief Technology Officer at Cosmico. He explained why he chose to further his studies, his experience at OPIT, and how it has affected his career.

Meet Rinaldo Festa

Rinaldo describes himself as a results-oriented engineering leader with a journey from military services to a successful startup exit. His experience bridges the gap between product and engineering by driving technical strategy and mentoring high-performing teams.

He is now the CTO at Cosmico, an Italian firm that specializes in matching digital talent with companies. This allows businesses to access the most experienced workers for projects as needed and expanding the horizons of digital experts working remotely. They currently have a team of over 27,000 experienced professionals with expertise in areas such as design, coding, data, AI, and cybersecurity. They have worked on major projects for major organizations such as Accenture and Huawei, as well as startups such as Scalapay and Unguess.

The Challenge

While Rinaldo could certainly characterize his career as successful, he felt the need to balance innovation with practical application, ensuring he could not only lead a team but also not lose touch with the technical elements. This led Rinaldo to ask himself: “Am I truly staying ahead, or merely keeping up?”

A curious professional with a growth mindset, Rinaldo was not looking for a new job, but he did want greater clarity. He wanted to better understand the fundamentals of the technologies that are driving advancement and transformation, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cybersecurity. He also wanted to deepen his understanding of the strategic application of these technologies and also dive deeper into essential questions such as the ethics of AI.

This led Rinaldo to search for a path forward that wouldn’t interrupt his career but would rather expand his horizons. Enter OPIT, offering flexible courses that you can complete remotely on your own schedule. These courses maintain a dynamic structure and actively keep pace with the latest technological developments, rather than following a limited approved curriculum. Another factor that attracted Rinaldo to OPIT was the faculty, working professionals who lead in their industries and actively teach and share their experience of current, real-world challenges and applications.

Studying at OPIT

Once he started his course, Rinaldo quickly realized that he had made the right decision. While embracing the opportunity to be a student again and acknowledging that he had much to learn, he also appreciated how OPIT respected and valued his experience, while also challenging his assumptions and helping him to grow. He quickly realized that OPIT’s courses are “designed for people like me.”

Rinaldo also shared that he was pleasantly surprised by how fast the theories he learnt became practical knowledge and then actionable insight that he could apply in his professional life. New methods, tools, and mental models were immediately useful in team reviews, architecture choices, and product strategies.

Professional Transformation

While Rinaldo is still enrolled, his studies at OPIT have already had a transformative impact on his professional life. Continuing his role as Chief Technology Officer at Cosmico, he has a new vision, enabling him to work on new transformational projects.

Rinaldo now focuses on developing AI-driven solutions for the future of talent management. For example, while many already use AI to read CVs and resumes to identify qualified potential candidates, Rinaldo leverages AI to do much more. New AI agents are capable of context-aware skill extraction, not only identify keywords linked with certain skills but also understanding the context behind each skill listed in a CV.

The team at Cosmico also now committed to creating responsible AI tools that are fit for purpose, not just producing tools with the popular AI-powered label. A major part of this is education before implementation. According to Rinaldo:

“Let’s face it: most people who discuss AI don’t understand what they’re talking about. They confuse basic machine learning with agentic AI. They implement ‘AI solutions’ that are nothing more than glorified ‘if/then’ statements. This is only ineffective; it is dangerous.”

Cosmico is building programs to demystify AI concepts and create a common language about capabilities and limitations.

This is how Rinaldo is leading from the front, made possible by his time studying at OPIT. Rather than a career shift, he achieved a mindset shift that is helping him to be more strategic, aligned, and aware.

OPIT Programs

OPIT is now offering a range of programs that can help professionals upskill, develop a better understanding of the technologies that are transforming the way we live and work, and take a more strategic approach to their application and implementation.

While Rinaldo chose OPIT’s BSc, there are also many other MSc programs open to people with a bachelor’s in any subject; it does not need to be technical.

The MSc in Digital Business and Innovation empowers professionals to drive innovation in both established companies and digital-native contexts by leveraging the power of digital technologies and AI.

With strong emphasis on real-world applications in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, business, sensor systems, and industry automation, the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence combines technical expertise with a focus on the ethical implications of modern AI.

The MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity integrates technical and managerial expertise, equipping students with the skills to fulfill the market’s need for versatile professionals capable of implementing security solutions and leading cybersecurity initiatives.

Meanwhile, the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI equips students to work at the intersection of management and tech and solve real-life business problems using data science and AI.

Not sure which course is right for you? Chat to OPIT’s Career Services team for advice.

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Finding Your Calling: Expanding Your Horizons With OPIT
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
July 17, 2025 · min read

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is a dynamic new university that provides practical learning opportunities for people looking to thrive in a dynamic, tech-driven workplace. It offers bachelor’s courses for those at the start of their journey and master’s courses for professionals hoping to expand their horizons. This includes students like Silvia Garavaglia.

We recently spoke to Silvia about her experience studying with OPIT. She shared how her professional interests led her to OPIT and how her studies have led her to a new and unanticipated career path in artificial intelligence (AI).

Understanding the Data

Until recently, Silvia Garavaglia worked as a project manager, leading complex assignments across a variety of European firms. Silvia shared that she was increasingly working on data-driven initiatives and learned the value that big data, combined with AI, could deliver in business. However, she felt that she was just scratching the surface of what AI-enhanced data analysis could do and that her lack of experience on the technical side was holding her back from doing more with it.

In short, Silvia found herself wanting to move from just managing and leveraging data to truly understanding how the technology works under the hood. She knew that she would have to find educational resources to support this journey.

Finding a Learning Partner

Silvia’s professional goals motivated her to start looking for a learning partner. But this was a challenge for a number of reasons. First, she needed a flexible program compatible with her busy work life. Many of the courses she found weren’t flexible enough in their availability to fit into her schedule. Second, many relevant programs demand a strong technical background for master-level courses.

From her on-the-job experience, Silvia knew that she wanted a course that combined technical skills development with teaching strategic approaches that focus on application. She knew that the things she wanted to achieve would require a combination of the two.

OPIT’s MSc in Applied Data Science & AI

After much research, Silvia chose OPIT’s MSc in Applied Data Science & AI, which is designed to prepare students to occupy the intersection between management and tech. A master’s course designed for professionals with varied backgrounds, the program combines technical courses on data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with courses on business management and problem-solving.

What students learn in their dynamic online classroom is then applied to real-life business challenges that can be addressed using data science and AI. These solutions are taught by a faculty who are not just teachers, but active professionals working at the cutting edge of their fields.

The course also includes an internship or a capstone project that sees students apply their learning to new challenges, turning theory into experience.

Silvia said that she chose OPIT due to its practical content and human-centered approach. This set it apart from other academic programs because it was a course “built by people who build.”

She knew she had made the right decision when she started the onboarding process, which she described as responsive, transparent, and unexpectedly personal.

Learning That Changed Everything

While Silvia has always considered herself an eternal student, interested in always learning and growing, she said that the course changed her perspective. While she may have started out simply looking for knowledge to help her do her job better, what she learned made her completely rethink her role. She began to see new possibilities for her career, creating opportunities rather than fitting into cookie-cutter roles.

Silvia explained that she went from seeing herself as someone who supports tech teams to someone who creates technological solutions that solve real-world problems. She was no longer playing catch-up with her tech team; she was ready to create while following her own path forward.

A New Path

Silvia is currently interning at Midnight Ventures, an engineering company that develops cutting-edge AI agents that solve real business problems with intelligent automation and multi-agent systems.

She is working on a medical AI diagnostics platform for aesthetic medicine that analyzes ultrasounds in real time, identifying dermal fillers and skin conditions with medical precision, enhancing diagnostic capabilities. Silvia said this project appealed because of its focus on leveraging technology to solve human problems, supporting doctors to better serve their patients.

Among other things, Midnight Ventures is also working on a platform to democratize access to algorithmic trading by converting natural language trading strategies into executable code.

All of OPIT’s master’s courses include a final capstone project that lets students apply their learning to real-world challenges that inspire them. For her Capstone project, Silvia is working with HYPE, a financial services firm in Milan, on an AI-powered onboarding agent that combines technology with crafting the best possible human experience.

An Exciting Future

Overall, Silvia says that she is excited for the future. She is on the path to becoming an AI developer, learning to code step by step, while leading real projects that leverage AI to solve human challenges.

Others looking to do the same might also consider OPIT as a gateway to a new path forward. OPIT’s MSc in Applied Data Science and AI is a great place to start.

OPIT Master’s Courses

OPIT also offers an MSc in Digital Business and Innovation for professionals who want to drive innovation and lead digital entrepreneurship with a focus on growth hacking, digital transformation, and leveraging AI to drive innovation.

The MSc in Responsible AI also combines technical expertise with real-world applications, with a focus on the ethical implications of modern AI and the architecture of sustainable AI systems.

OPIT’s MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity is focused on digital security solutions, but also focuses on combining the technical and managerial sides to bridge the gap between coding and application.

Contact Career Services to see how OPIT can support you on your journey toward your professional goals.

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Revolutionizing Online Learning: An Introduction to OPIT AI Copilot
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
July 17, 2025 · min read

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. But leveraging AI to produce better learning outcomes requires intelligent strategies directed by experienced educational professionals. This is what the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is working to achieve with its new OPIT AI Copilot.

OPIT is a pioneering global online university that delivers accessible and flexible courses designed to prepare people for future careers in which technology is constantly improving and evolving. And OPIT AI Copilot is now part of this, helping students manage their course load and personalize their learning, while teaching AI applications in practice.

OPIT’s Vision

OPIT was founded to fill a gap in the education market, as traditional university courses struggle to keep pace with fast-changing technology. It builds its curriculum around current cutting-edge technology and staffs its faculty with experts who are not just teachers but also active, leading professionals in the field of artificial intelligence. This is in addition to courses that combine theory with practical application.

OPIT also believes that education should be accessible for all. Their flexible online approach means that busy professionals can study while continuing their careers, and everyone can access quality education no matter where they are in the world. OPIT serves more than 350 students from 80 countries, including emerging nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.

OPIT AI Copilot is part of this vision. The groundbreaking AI agent acts as a personal tutor, available 24/7, bridging time zones and providing real-time support. The agent also can personalize how it delivers content, adapting it based on the needs of the student, including their preferred learning style, pre-existing knowledge, learning pace, preferred language, and more. This is a major step toward overcoming the issue of the prevalent “one-size-fits-all” approach to education, which may be practical for teaching large groups but is an ineffective approach to learning.

Training and Development

The effectiveness of education AI agents depends on the quality and breadth of their training material. OPIT AI Copilot stands out for being trained on OPIT’s entire education archive. This includes 3,500 hours of video content from 131 courses, plus 3,000 proprietary documents, including 320 certified assessments.

Developed by an in-house team of dedicated faculty, engineers, and researchers, the OPIT AI Copilot is one of the first deeply integrated AI systems of its kind in a European institution. In-house development ensures that the AI agent is aligned with OPIT’s educational philosophy and approaches.

Capabilities and Features

OPIT AI Copilot is designed to be a dynamic and multi-faceted assistant with a wide range of functionality. Principal among them are:

  • Personalized Learning Support: OPIT AI Copilot provides real-time, personalized guidance that adapts to a student’s progress. It can link directly to relevant sources within the virtual learning environment and adjust its support based on where the student is in their course modules. It avoids revealing information from unreleased modules, ensuring a structured and integrated learning experience.
  • Contextual Assistance: As well as drawing from existing material, OPIT AI Copilot can generate content to deepen the learning experience, such as code samples and practice exams. It can also answer questions posed by the student, with responses grounded in the official course materials.
  • Academic Integrity during Exams: During examinations, OPIT AI Copilot automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode,” during which it restricts direct answers on exam topics and functions solely as a basic research tool, promoting self-driven learning and ensuring academic integrity.
  • 24/7 Availability: The AI assistant operates and interacts continuously, providing round-the-clock support, which is invaluable for students across different time zones.

Benefits for Students: Enhanced Learning and Support

Having access to OPIT’s AI Copilot as a dedicated learning assistant has various benefits for students engaged in one of OPIT’s courses:

  • Personalized Learning Journey: Students receive tailored support that adapts to their individual pace and learning style.
  • Instant Access to Information: Immediate feedback promotes faster learning and boosts motivation, leading students to achieve better learning results.
  • Improved Study Habits: Features like exam simulations and the ability to download summaries and concept maps empower students to study more effectively.
  • Flexibility for Working Professionals: 24/7 availability and adaptive learning modes are particularly beneficial for students juggling study around other commitments such as work and family.

Benefits for Teachers and Faculty

While we often focus on the benefit for students, OPIT AI Copilot also benefits teachers and faculty to do their jobs better.

  • Automated Grading: Automated grading of multiple-choice and single-answer exams lets students get their results immediately. The agent can also provide preliminary grades on longer written exams, assessing structure and grammar, and checking for the inclusion of key concepts. This again gives students immediate feedback while waiting for final marks and gives teachers an unbiased guide to help them verify that they are grading fairly.
  • Generation of Learning Materials: Teachers can leverage OPIT AI Copilot to generate new learning materials, quizzes, and feedback rubrics, based on the core materials that they have prepared and gathered. They can also use the tool to find related new publications and materials for review and possible inclusion in the course. This saves teachers time as they expand and refine their curriculum materials.
  • Scalability: The AI system allows OPIT to scale its educational offerings and support services more effectively, accommodating a growing international student body without a proportional increase in human resources.
  • Pioneering Educational Technology: By integrating such an advanced AI system, OPIT positions itself as a leader in educational technology, attracting students and faculty who are keen on innovation and future-proof learning models.

OPIT AI Copilot currently saves teachers up to 30% of their time, allowing them and other faculty to focus on activities such as personalized instruction, one-on-one mentorship, refining teaching methodologies, fostering deeper student engagement, and exploring innovative pedagogical approaches.

The Future of Education With OPIT AI Copilot

The launch of OPIT AI Copilot, unveiled at Microsoft’s “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” event in Milan, marked a significant milestone in online education. As Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education, aptly put it, “AI is no longer just a tool: it’s an environment, a context that radically changes how we learn, teach, and create.” He emphasized that while AI offers immense potential, it also presents a cultural, ethical, and pedagogical challenge that requires courage to rethink traditional models and build solid bridges between human and artificial intelligence.

Riccardo Ocleppo, founder and director of OPIT, reinforced this vision: “We want to put technology at the service of higher education. We’re ready to develop solutions not only for our students, but also to share with other global institutions that are eager to innovate the learning experience, to face a future in education that’s fast approaching.”

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Peace FM Online: OPIT Launches Groundbreaking AI Copilot To Transform Online Learning For African Students
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
July 07, 2025 · min read

Source:


OPIT – Open Institute of Technology, an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning. This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

“This is a game-changer for working professionals and students across Africa who are balancing education with careers and family responsibilities,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder and Director of OPIT. “It provides flexible, 24/7 access to mentorship and course support, helping our students overcome barriers of distance, time zones, and academic complexity.”

The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning. For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30%, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

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