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Italy becomes first EU country to pass law regulating artificial intelligence
Italy has made history by becoming the first member of the European Union to adopt a comprehensive law regulating the use of artificial intelligence. The legislation, approved by parliament after a year of debate, introduces strict rules on how AI can be deployed across the country, with penalties including prison terms for harmful misuse and safeguards for children.
The law aligns with the EU’s landmark AI Act but goes further by imposing prison sentences of one to five years for the dissemination of manipulated AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, if it causes damage. It also establishes tougher sanctions for crimes like fraud and identity theft committed with AI tools.
In addition, the law requires parental consent for children under the age of 14 to use AI systems, highlighting concerns about young people’s exposure to the technology. It also sets clear rules on copyright, stating that works involving AI are protected if they stem from genuine human creativity, while text and data mining are only permitted in limited contexts, such as scientific research.
The government has appointed the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency to enforce the law. It has also pledged up to €1 billion in funding to support businesses working in AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s government described the initiative as a step toward “human-centered, transparent and safe AI,” emphasizing innovation alongside privacy and cybersecurity protections. Meloni has called artificial intelligence “the greatest revolution of our time,” while insisting that it must be developed within ethical boundaries that prioritize people’s rights.