Italy Becomes First EU Nation to Adopt a Comprehensive AI Regulation Law

The Italian parliament has approved a new law on artificial intelligence, making Italy the first European Union country to adopt comprehensive AI regulation rules in line with the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Law.

According to Reuters, the Italian government initiated the adoption of the law, saying it establishes key principles such as human-centricity, transparency, and security for the use of artificial intelligence, and also emphasizes the importance of innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protection.

The law introduces cross-sectoral rules covering health, labor, public administration, justice, education, and sport, requiring traceability and human control of AI decisions.

It also limits access to AI for children under 14 with parental consent.

“This (law) puts innovation back in the public interest, directing AI towards growth, rights, and the full protection of citizens,” said Alessio Butti, deputy minister for digital transformation.

The government has designated the Digital Italy Agency and the National Cybersecurity Agency as national authorities for AI development, while supervisory authorities, including the Bank of Italy and market regulator Consob, retain their powers.

The new criminal provisions target the illegal distribution of AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, which is punishable by one to five years in prison if it causes harm.

Illegal use of AI will also lead to harsher penalties for crimes such as identity theft and fraud.

The law allows up to €1 billion from a state venture capital fund to be used to invest in the equity of small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies working in the fields of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and telecommunications.

Previous reports revealed that US technology giant Google is investing £5 billion (about $6.8 billion) in artificial intelligence in the UK.