Italy becomes the first country in the EU that approves an AI law. What does the new legislation encompass
Italy has become the first country in the EU that approves a comprehensive law on the regulation of artificial intelligence, including the introduction of imprisonment for those who use technology for harmful purposes, such as generating deepfakes, and limiting children's access.
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The right -wing government led by Giorgia Meloni said that the legislation, aligned with the new European Act, is a decisive step in influencing how artificial intelligence is used in Italy, The Guardian reports.
The goal is to promote a use “Centered on people, transparent and safe to take”focusing on “Innovation, cyber security and protection of private life”.
The law introduces penalties with imprisonment between one and five years for the illegal spread of content generated or manipulated by IA, if it causes damage.
There will be tougher sanctions for using technology when committing crimes, including fraud and identity theft, as well as stricter rules on transparency and human supervision in the use of work and in sectors such as health, education, justice and sport.
Also, children under the age of 14 will need their parents' consent to access artificial intelligence.
Regarding the copyright, the law stipulates that the works carried out with the assistance are protected if they start from an authentic intellectual effort, and the text type activities and the Data Mining will be allowed only for unprotected Copyright or scientific research carried out by authorized institutions.
Alessio Butti, an undersecretary for digital transformation, said that the law “brings innovation back into the perimeter of public interest, orienting it to grow, respect for rights and full protection of citizens.”
The government appointed the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cyber Security Agency to apply the legislation, which received the final approval in the Parliament after a year of debates.
Referring to the theme Ia in March last year, Meloni said: “Maybe there must be an Italian way in terms of artificial intelligence, an Italian way to develop an Italian way to govern.”
She considered technology straight “The biggest revolution of our time”but stressed that he can reach his true potential “Only if it is developed in a framework of ethical rules that put in the foreground people, their rights and needs.”.
The law authorizes the allocation of up to 1 billion euros (870 million pounds) from a state-supported risk capital fund to support active companies in the field, cyber security and telecommunications, although critics claim that the amount is small compared to the investments made by the US and China.
