By Angelo Amante
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian government approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at establishing basic rules for the use of artificial intelligence (AI), reserving investments in the sector and setting penalties for crimes linked to AI, the ministers announced.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said AI would be among the key issues of Italy’s presidency of the Group of Seven rich countries (G7), which will last until the end of this year.
A draft law seen by Reuters after the cabinet meeting says Italy will establish a national AI strategy ensuring the instrument is applied “with respect for the autonomy and decision-making power” of human beings .
The bill envisages an initial investment of up to 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) to promote AI projects and startups, which will be supported by state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) .
“These are the first resources, although important, and we will see later if there are other needs,” Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told reporters at a news conference.
The government also aims to impose sanctions, including prison sentences, against perpetrators of AI-related crimes.
“The advent of new technologies… can create problems which, in turn, constitute gaps in protection (which) must necessarily be filled by criminal law,” Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said during the same press conference.
The European Union as a whole is moving closer to adopting its own rules on AI tools, which will have to comply with specific transparency obligations and European copyright laws.
The Italian government’s bill will now be submitted to Parliament for discussion and possible amendment.
($1 = 0.9344 euros)
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Gavin Jones)
