Italy passes first comprehensive AI law in the EU

Italy is the first country in the European Union to pass its own comprehensive law on artificial intelligence, harmonized with the European AI Act.

The legislation was pushed through by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and focuses on transparency, security, and data protection, while also promoting innovation. The new rules affect healthcare, the world of work, education, public administration, and the judiciary.

The law requires human oversight of artificial intelligence decisions and introduces restrictions for children under the age of 14 without parental consent. It also contains criminal provisions against the misuse of AI, in particular against deepfakes, which are punishable by imprisonment for one to five years.

In the area of copyright, protection is recognized for works created with the help of AI, provided they are the result of creative activity, while data mining is only permitted in a research environment. The investment framework includes a state-supported fund of €1 billion to promote AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.

Critics point out, however, that the level of support lags behind global competition. In healthcare, doctors retain the final decision-making authority, while employers in the workplace are required to inform their employees about the use of artificial intelligence.

(reuters, max)