Artificial Intelligence: Final text of the AI Bill approved

The Italian Senate has approved the final text of the AI Bill , the bill regulating artificial intelligence in Italy. After more than two years of parliamentary processing, the measure—now in its third reading, following amendments introduced in the Chamber and observations from the relevant committees—has finally received the final green light.

The main innovations of the AI Bill

The AI Bill, already approved by the Chamber of Deputies on June 25 and passed for second reading in the Senate last March, introduces a series of rules to regulate the production, use and management of artificial intelligence systems , with particular attention to safety, the protection of rights and public and private investments.

The most relevant news

The provision, composed of 28 articles divided into six Chapters , delegates the Government to issue a series of legislative decrees to regulate artificial intelligence, defining the general principles for the safe and responsible use of these technologies.

• Access to AI for minors : The use of artificial intelligence systems will only be permitted with the prior consent of parents or guardians.
• Servers and infrastructure : Public administrations will be able to use AI systems hosted on servers outside of Italy, eliminating the requirement for exclusively Italian servers.
• Security and transparency : the measure introduces obligations to assess risks, monitor systems, and document automated decisions.
• Investments and incentives : The law includes measures to support startups and companies developing ethical AI systems that comply with European regulations.

At the institutional governance level, the bill establishes the "Coordination Committee for policy-making activities for institutions, organizations, and foundations operating in the field of digital innovation and AI" and designates the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) and the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID) as the competent national authorities.

The areas of application and control of AI

• Chapter I – Defines principles and purposes for the use of AI , including in the manufacturing and defense sectors, promoting a transparent approach that respects fundamental rights.
• Chapter II – Regulates the application of AI in specific areas such as healthcare, research, employment, public administration, and justice, protecting personal data and preventing discrimination; it also delegates the Government to regulate the use of data, algorithms, and mathematical methods for training systems.
• Chapter III – Establishes the National Strategy for AI, encouraging public-private collaboration, research, and training. ACN oversees system security, while AgID manages notifications and promotes safe use cases for citizens and businesses; the Government is empowered to comply with the European AI Act framework.
• Chapter IV – Protection of privacy and copyright , extending protection to works created with the aid of AI.
• Chapter V – Introduces amendments to the Criminal Code to punish the illicit use of AI , with particular reference to Deepfakes and uses of AI that compromise the safety or integrity of people and systems.
• Chapter VI – Contains financial provisions, invariance clauses, and the possibility for the ACN to enter into collaboration agreements with national and international private entities, strengthening AI governance at the Italian and European levels.

Impact on businesses and public administration

With the approval of the AI Bill, Italian companies, particularly those in the technology and digital sectors, will be able to operate within a clear and secure regulatory framework , fostering the development of innovative AI solutions.

Public administrations will have defined guidelines for the adoption of intelligent systems, with the option of using external cloud infrastructures and ensuring the security of citizens' sensitive data. (Source: Anna Fabi, https://www.pmi.it/ )