Gianluca Ajello: technology, innovation, and passion for the local area

A career that blends technology, innovation, and a strong international vision—this is the essence of Gianluca Ajello’s professional journey. Today, he is part of Italtel’s business development team, with a specific focus on cloud and cybersecurity. 

After an education that combined humanities and technical skills — from classical high school to a degree in Electronic Engineering with a specialization in computer science — Gianluca joined Italtel in 2000 through an internship, which became his gateway into the telecommunications world. Since then, his career path has been one of constant evolution, moving from operational configuration tasks to offering and presales, and eventually to business development in both domestic and international markets.

The importance of the big picture

One of the turning points in his career came in 2008, when he began working in offering and pre-sales. This transition was crucial, as it allowed him to engage with all areas of the company — from sales to engineering, from procurement to suppliers and third parties. It was the moment he began to see and understand the entire corporate value chain.

His experience in international markets — particularly in Libya and the Middle East — further broadened his perspective, exposing him to business cultures and dynamics very different from those in Italy. This wealth of experience remains a valuable asset in his daily work to this day.

Innovation and cybersecurity at the core

Today, the core of his professional commitment revolves around cloud and cybersecurity — two areas where technological innovation moves rapidly and customer needs are constantly evolving.

This intersection of innovation and security is precisely what he is most passionate about. Every day, he engages with cutting-edge technological trends: from hybrid architectures to cloud migrations and managed services. It’s a constantly evolving landscape, where Italtel plays an active role in supporting enterprises and Telcos in their digital transformation journeys.

At the same time, cybersecurity has become an essential priority, as cyberattacks grow more frequent and the attack surface continues to expand.

Working in these areas means staying continuously up to date, engaging with the latest industry developments, and actively contributing to the creation of solutions and services that help clients meet ever-changing challenges. It is exactly this combination of continuous innovation, technological complexity, and customer focus that makes his work particularly stimulating and full of growth opportunities.

Leading a Team: a challenge and an opportunity for growth

For some time now, Gianluca has also taken on a team coordination role — a new experience that has further enriched his professional journey. Managing a team on an ongoing basis, he explains, means not only organizing tasks and setting priorities, but also fostering engagement and motivation. It’s a complex, yet highly stimulating responsibility:

“Being a technical reference is not enough; it’s equally important to inspire and help the people you work with grow.”

Local Roots, Global Vision

Despite the international nature of his work, Gianluca has chosen to live and work in his homeland. After years spent in the industrial district of Carini, he now works in Italtel’s Palermo office.

 He lives in Cefalù, a small town in the province, where he also pursues a strong civic commitment. He has long been involved in volunteering: first with Legambiente, and now as president of the local tourism association (Pro Loco). This role allows him to promote the cultural, historical, and tourist heritage of the region, sharing his skills and passion.

Encouraging Girls in STEM: a concrete commitment

Among the local initiatives he has promoted is a conference dedicated to women in technology—the most recent one took place on March 14 in Cefalù. This topic is particularly important to him: he believes, as Karen Spark Jones once said, that “computing is too important to be left to men.”

Encouraging girls to pursue STEM subjects is, in Gianluca’s view, a matter of both fairness and future:

We need a more inclusive and representative technology. That’s why we must start in schools, breaking down stereotypes and showing young women all the opportunities in this field.

Artificial Intelligence and Natural Intelligence: A Relationship to Build

Looking ahead, Gianluca also emphasizes the importance of conscious technological education, to help young people manage AI rather than be managed by it.

“AI should support the development of natural intelligence, not replace it,” he says.

A vision that combines technical expertise with humanistic sensitivity, reflecting the spirit with which Gianluca approaches every challenge—professional and personal.

With a constant eye on innovation, but without ever forgetting the value of people, the territory, and human relationships.