Italy has become the first European Union country to enact a comprehensive law regulating artificial intelligence, aligning with the EU's landmark AI Act. The law prioritizes human-centric, transparent, and safe AI use, emphasizing innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protections. It applies to various sectors such as healthcare, workplaces, public administration, justice, education, and sports, requiring traceability and human oversight of AI decisions.
One of the key provisions of the law is the restriction on child access to AI services. Children under 14 can only access AI services with parental consent, ensuring minors' protection. The law also provides copyright protections for works created with AI assistance, protecting them if they result from intellectual effort. However, AI-driven text and data mining is allowed only for non-copyrighted content or scientific research by authorized institutions.
The law also includes criminal provisions for unlawful dissemination of AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, which can cause harm. Such offenses are punishable by one to five years in prison. Tougher penalties will be imposed for offenses like identity theft and fraud when AI is used.
To support the development of AI, the law authorizes up to 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion) from a state-backed venture capital fund to support equity investments in AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and telecoms. However, critics argue that this amount is insufficient compared to international initiatives.
The Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency will oversee AI development, while sector regulators like the Bank of Italy and Consob will retain their powers. In the workplace, employers must inform workers when AI systems are deployed, ensuring transparency. In healthcare, AI can assist diagnosis and care under certain conditions, with doctors retaining final decision-making authority and patients maintaining the right to be informed.
