As part of a broader DEI strategy, Heineken Italy recognised the need to equip its leaders not just with inclusive values, but with the awareness to navigate a digital landscape increasingly shaped by AI.

While AI wasn’t yet widely deployed internally, its growing presence in hiring, evaluations, and communication made it essential to address its implications early.
 
The challenge was to deliver a program that explored both inclusive leadership and the ethical questions raised by AI, without requiring technical expertise.

SOPHIA co-designed a blended learning experience combining DEI fundamentals with critical reflection on AI. The training emphasised leadership awareness over technical application, helping managers recognise their role in shaping ethical, inclusive systems in a digital age.

The curriculum included:
 
* Key principles of inclusive leadership
 
* Bias psychology and its effect on decisions
 
* How AI systems can replicate or amplify human bias
 
* Ethical discussions on fairness, transparency, and accountability
 
* Group dialogue and real-life scenarios rooted in Heineken Italy’s context

The initiative reached nearly 1,000 managers across Italy, creating a shared foundation for an inclusive culture at all leadership levels. It also sparked internal conversations about the responsible use of technology and laid the groundwork for future DEI and AI governance strategies.
 
Leaders came away with a clearer understanding of inclusion as a strategic priority—and of the importance of anticipating AI’s impact on human dynamics.