Italy has introduced the initial national legislation in the European Union that specifically governs artificial intelligence. This law includes penalties and protective measures aimed at preventing misuse while promoting innovation. Supported by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration and aligning with the EU’s broader AI Act, the regulation sets out guidelines for the “human-centric, transparent, and safe utilization of AI,” focusing on aspects like “innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy safeguards.”
Individuals who disseminate harmful AI-generated or altered content, such as deepfakes, could be sentenced to one to five years in prison. Stricter penalties apply when AI technology is used for criminal activities such as fraud or identity theft. The law also mandates clear disclosure and human supervision for AI systems used in various fields like healthcare, education, justice, and sports.
The legislation requires parental consent for children under 14 to access AI services. Concerning intellectual property rights, only AI-assisted creations reflecting genuine human creativity will be protected, akin to regulations by the U.S. Copyright Office. The use of AI for text and data mining is limited to non-copyrighted material or scientific research conducted by authorized institutions.
According to Alessio Butti, the undersecretary for digital transformation, this law repositions innovation within the public interest realm, guiding AI development towards growth, rights protection, and citizen welfare. Enforcement of the law will be overseen by the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency. After a year of discussions, Parliament approved the bill.
Meloni highlighted last year that there should be an Italian approach to artificial intelligence development and governance. She referred to it as “the most significant revolution of our era,” emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks prioritizing people’s rights and requirements.
Additionally, the law allocates up to €1 billion (around $1.2 billion) from a government-backed investment fund to aid companies operating in AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications sectors—an amount considered modest compared to investments from the U.S. and China.
In June, Denmark granted individuals copyright ownership over their facial features and voices to combat the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes in efforts to bolster defenses against digital impersonation.