My name is Maria Strada, and if I had to tell you my story in a few words, I would say I am a “Negotiator of Peace” with a passion for innovation and people. I graduated in Law from the University of Trento in 1999, focusing on Transnational Law, and for over twenty years, I have lived immersed in the world of technology. I have led international teams and managed complex deals for giants like Google Cloud and HP. But what truly drives me isn’t just the rigor of contracts or the magic of digital tools: it is the intersection of these worlds and the people who have always been the engine behind it all.
Imagine three intertwined threads—contracts, technology, and human relationships—forming the fabric of my career. We often see them as separate, but to me, they are inseparable: technology gives us speed, contracts provide structure, but it is people who breathe life into lasting relationships.
We live in a fascinating yet paradoxical era. Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing everything: it processes data at an impressive speed, standardizes processes, and makes them cost-effective. As Lawyer Angelo Monoriti notes in his article on the “Right to Human Interaction” (cit.: The Right to Human Interaction, by Angelo Monoriti, Professor of Negotiation, Luiss Guido Carli, Federalismi.it, September 10, 2025), AI is a master of “commoditization”—it makes everything fast and predictable. However, there is a chasm between a perfect calculation and a true agreement. AI provides the logical clause based on millions of data points and probabilities, but it is a static output: if the variables change, it collapses. It does not create trust, it does not mediate conflicts, and it does not generate that bond capable of weathering the storms.
This is where the human element becomes irreplaceable. AI learns from the past and, if left unchecked, risks perpetuating outdated biases. Negotiation, however, is the art of listening, mediation, and inclusion. It’s not just about clauses; it’s about resolving conflicts with empathy.
As an ambassador for Donne 4.0, I carry this passion at the heart for the mission: overcoming the gender gap through digital technologies. I firmly believe that AI must not replicate the mistakes of the past but evolve toward an equitable future. Female leadership plays a crucial role here: by bringing a perspective centered on empathy and relational intelligence, we can ensure that technology remains a tool for empowerment rather than a mirror of old inequalities.
But this is a collective mission. Everyone can contribute by reclaiming their role as an ethical compass. We must guide the younger generations to understand that technology is a responsibility, not just a utility. I want to inspire young professionals to realize that their human sensitivity is the only force capable of correcting the machine. True inclusivity is not a checkbox; it is a living principle that requires each of us to prioritize human connection over algorithmic efficiency. Only by fostering these deep, empathetic relations can we guarantee that the digital world remains a space for everyone.
Agreement Born from Human Connection
Think about the primordial need we all have: to feel connected, heard, and recognized by another human being, not by an algorithm. Trust—the currency of a business that lasts—is built this way, in a “human space” where true partnerships are born, creating that “field of attraction” that goes far beyond numbers.
In my vision, AI is a powerful ally: a “super assistant” that frees us from routines, allows us to scale complex ideas, and makes us faster. But relying solely on it for negotiations? That is a massive risk. You might achieve efficient deals, but you will end up with fragile relationships, ready to break at the first unforeseen hurdle. True leadership today means defending human Interaction, using technology to empower us, not to replace us.
Ultimately, while AI flattens and accelerates, humans deepen and consolidate. The real “premium” in the market is offering not an algorithmic price, but an empathetic, deep relationship. This is the challenge I live every day: I run fast with technology, but I stay anchored to people to go the distance. Only a human leader transforms a contract into a partnership that lasts.
Maria Strada, Ambassador Como Donne 4.0
