Historic Approval in the Senate
Italy has made history by becoming the first European Union country to pass its own comprehensive national law on artificial intelligence. The Italian Senate definitively approved the legislation, known as Bill S. 1146-B, on September 17, 2025, with 77 votes in favor, 55 against, and two abstentions. This landmark move positions Italy at the forefront of AI governance within Europe. The law is now awaiting publication in the Official Gazette and will come into force 15 days after its publication.
The legislation, spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, aims to ensure 'human-centric, transparent and safe AI use' while fostering innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protections. Undersecretary for Digital Transformation Alessio Butti stated that the law 'brings innovation back within the perimeter of the public interest, steering AI toward growth, rights and full protection of citizens'.
Beyond the EU AI Act: Key Provisions
While fully aligned with the broader EU AI Act (Regulation EU 2024/1689), which was approved by the European Parliament on June 13, 2024, Italy's national law introduces several stricter provisions that go beyond the European framework.
- Criminal Penalties: The law introduces prison sentences of one to five years for the illegal spreading of harmful AI-generated or manipulated content, such as deepfakes. Harsher penalties are also stipulated for using AI to commit crimes like fraud, identity theft, or money laundering.
- Child Protection: Parental consent will be required for children under the age of 14 to access AI systems.
- Workplace Regulations: The law mandates transparency and human oversight for AI decisions across various sectors, including healthcare, education, justice, public administration, and the workplace. Employers must inform employees about AI use in hiring, evaluations, monitoring, or task assignments, and workers retain the right to challenge AI-driven decisions and request human review.
- Copyright Protection: Works created with AI assistance are eligible for protection if they are the result of 'genuine human intellectual effort'. Additionally, AI-driven text and data mining is restricted to non-copyrighted content or scientific research by authorized institutions.
Implementation and Investment
The implementation of Italy's AI law will be overseen by the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN). The Department for Digital Transformation is tasked with developing a comprehensive national AI strategy.
To stimulate domestic innovation, the law authorizes up to €1 billion from a state-backed venture capital fund to support companies active in AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. This financial commitment underscores Italy's ambition to become a 'European laboratory for responsible innovation in AI'.
6 Comments
Manolo Noriega
The €1 billion investment is a strong signal for fostering AI growth. Still, the additional national regulations, stricter than the EU's, might make Italy less attractive for international tech companies.
Fuerza
Protecting intellectual property from AI misuse is crucial, but defining 'genuine human intellectual effort' for copyright could lead to complex legal battles. The intent is good, but the execution might be messy.
Manolo Noriega
While the focus on human oversight in the workplace is commendable, the practical implications for businesses adopting AI could be quite burdensome. We need innovation, but also strong protections.
Ongania
Italy is brave to be a pioneer in national AI law, and the emphasis on ethical use is right. However, there's a fine line between robust regulation and creating barriers that slow down technological advancement compared to other nations.
Fuerza
It's good to see Italy addressing AI's risks, especially for children and deepfakes. However, I worry if the strict penalties will inadvertently hinder legitimate research and development.
BuggaBoom
Human-centric AI is the future. Italy is setting a great example for ethical tech.