Italy has become the first country in the European Union to adopt a comprehensive law regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The law introduces strict rules to protect citizens and restricts access to AI technology for children under 14 years of age, while imposing prison sentences for misuse, including generating deepfake content or causing harm.

The law is aligned with the EU AI Act and aims to promote “human-centric, transparent, and safe AI use,” with an emphasis on innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protection. Harsher penalties apply for criminal misuse of the technology, including fraud and identity theft, while workplaces and key sectors such as healthcare, education, justice, and sports are subject to specific oversight and transparency requirements.

The law also addresses copyright: works created with AI assistance are protected only if they result from genuine intellectual effort, whereas AI-driven text and data mining will be permitted solely for non-copyrighted content or scientific research conducted by authorized institutions. The Italian government has appointed the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency to oversee the law’s implementation.

For companies, the law introduces new rules and challenges regarding the application of AI in business, particularly in finance, e-commerce, telecommunications, and service sectors. For domestic and international investors, as well as legal teams, the legislation provides an important legal framework defining the ethical, regulatory, and commercial aspects of AI technologies in Italy.

Vujinović & Partners monitors global trends in AI regulation and provides legal guidance to companies to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. Our lawyers also support the development of policies and procedures for the safe use of AI, including matters related to privacy, copyright, and liability.