Ethical Guidelines for AI Development and Use in Italy: A Step Towards a Better Future

The Council of Ministers has approved a bill on artificial intelligence (AI) that includes strict penalties for those causing “unjust damage” using AI systems. The bill mandates that systems like chatbots be registered for under 14s only with parental consent, and one billion euros will be allocated over a three-year period to support startups in the sector, aiming to establish at least one leading company in the national market.

The document aims to bring order to the diverse applications of AI, from health to security, while emphasizing respect for human autonomy and decision-making in AI development and use. It underscores the importance of cybersecurity in ensuring the safe and ethical use of AI systems. The bill also seeks to protect fundamental values like freedom of expression, objectivity, and information integrity in AI applications.

Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, considers crimes where AI could have a harmful impact as aggravating circumstances. Minister of Business, Adolfo Urso, highlights the goal of creating a fair and open AI market, involving SMEs in innovative AI processes. Undersecretary for Innovation, Alessio Buttthe, explains that the bill outlines a national strategy for AI oversight and promotes industrial policies for AI development, aligning public and private entities towards a common goal.

To ensure effective implementation of the bill, it is important to update the strategy regularly and involve relevant authorities for supervision and regulation. Inspired by other countries’ AI legislation, the national strategy prioritizes human values and develops a comprehensive industrial policy for AI. Secondary rules and regulations are expected to outline implementation details and foster growth of AI innovation in the country.

The approval of this bill marks an important step towards establishing ethical guidelines for the development and use of artificial intelligence systems in Italy.