Italy passes Europe’s first national AI law
The law introduces safeguards in health, work, and justice while promoting innovation and accountability.
Italy has become the first EU country to pass a national AI law, introducing detailed rules to govern the development and use of AI technologies across key sectors such as health, work, and justice.
The law, approved by the Senate on 17 September and in effect on 10 October, defines new national authorities responsible for oversight, including the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency. Both bodies will supervise compliance, security, and responsible use of AI systems.
In healthcare, the law simplifies data-sharing for scientific research by allowing the secondary use of anonymised or pseudonymised patient data. New rules also ensure transparency and consent when AI is used by minors under 14.
The law introduces criminal penalties for those who use AI-generated images or videos to cause harm or deception. The Italian approach combines regulation with innovation, seeking to protect citizens while promoting responsible growth in AI development.
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