Italy Forges Ahead: A New Era of AI Governance Dawns with Landmark National Law
As the global artificial intelligence landscape continues its rapid evolution, Italy is poised to make history. On October 10, 2025, Italy’s comprehensive national Artificial Intelligence Law (Law No. 132/2025) will officially come into effect, marking a pivotal moment as the first EU member state to implement such a far-reaching framework. This landmark legislation, which received final parliamentary approval on September 17, 2025, and was published on September 23, 2025, is designed to complement the broader EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689) by addressing national specificities and acting as a precursor to some of its provisions.
Rooted in a National AI Strategy from 2020, the Italian law champions a human-centric approach, emphasizing ethical guidelines, transparency, accountability, and reliability to cultivate public trust in the burgeoning AI ecosystem.
The Italian Blueprint: Technical Specifics and Complementary Regulation
Italy’s Law No. 132/2025 introduces a detailed regulatory framework that, while aligning with the spirit of the EU AI Act, carves out specific national mandates and sector-focused rules. Unlike the EU AI Act’s horizontal, risk-based approach, which categorizes AI systems by risk level, the Italian law provides more granular, sector-specific provisions, particularly in areas where the EU framework allows for Member State discretion.
This includes immediate application of its provisions, contrasting with the EU AI Act’s gradual rollout, with rules for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models applicable from August 2025 and high-risk AI systems by August 2027.
Technically, the law firmly entrenches the principle of human oversight, mandating that AI-assisted decisions remain subject to human control and traceability. In critical sectors like healthcare, medical professionals must retain final responsibility, with AI serving purely as a support tool. Patients must be informed about AI use in their care. Similarly, in public administration and justice, AI is limited to organizational support, with human agents maintaining sole decision-making authority.
The law also establishes a dual-tier consent framework for minors, requiring parental consent for children under 14 to access AI systems, and allowing those aged 14 to 18 to consent themselves, provided the information is clear and comprehensible.
Data handling is another key area. The law facilitates the secondary use of de-identified personal and health data for public interest and non-profit scientific research aimed at developing AI systems, subject to notification to the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) and ethics committee approval.
Article 25 of the law extends copyright protection to works created with “AI assistance” only if they result from “genuine human intellectual effort,” clarifying that AI-generated material alone is not subject to protection. It also permits text and data mining (TDM) for AI model training from lawfully accessible materials, provided copyright owners’ opt-outs are respected, in line with existing Italian Copyright Law.
Navigating the New Regulatory Currents: Impact on AI Businesses
Italy’s Law No. 132/2025 will significantly reshape the operational landscape for AI companies, tech giants, and startups within Italy and, by extension, the broader EU market. The legislation introduces enhanced compliance obligations, stricter legal liabilities, and specific rules for data usage and intellectual property, influencing competitive dynamics and strategic positioning.
Companies operating in Italy, regardless of their origin, will face increased compliance burdens. This includes mandatory human oversight for AI systems, comprehensive technical documentation, regular risk assessments, and impact assessments to prevent algorithmic discrimination, particularly in sensitive domains like employment. The law mandates that companies maintain documented evidence of adherence to all principles and continuously monitor and update their AI systems.
A notable impact is the introduction of new criminal offenses. The unlawful dissemination of harmful AI-generated or manipulated content (deepfakes) now carries a penalty of one to five years imprisonment if unjust harm is caused. Furthermore, the law establishes aggravating circumstances for existing crimes committed using AI tools, leading to higher penalties.
Despite the challenges, certain entities stand to benefit. Domestic AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications companies are poised to receive a boost from the Italian government’s allocation of up to €1 billion from a state-backed venture capital fund, aimed at fostering “national technology champions.”
A Bellwether for Global AI Governance: Wider Significance
Italy’s Law No. 132/2025 is more than just a national regulation; it represents a significant bellwether in the global AI regulatory landscape. By being the first EU Member State to adopt such a comprehensive national AI framework, Italy is actively shaping the practical application of AI governance ahead of the EU AI Act’s full implementation.
This “Italian way” emphasizes balancing technological innovation with humanistic values and supporting a broader technology sovereignty agenda, setting a precedent for how other EU countries might interpret and augment the European framework with national specificities.
In terms of intellectual property, Italy’s clarification that copyright protection for AI-assisted works requires “genuine human creativity” or “substantial human intellectual contribution” aligns with international trends that reject non-human authorship. This stance, coupled with the permission for Text and Data Mining (TDM) for AI training under specific conditions, reflects a nuanced approach to balancing innovation with creator rights.
The Road Ahead: Future Developments and Expert Predictions
As Italy’s AI Law becomes effective, the immediate future will be characterized by intense activity surrounding its implementation. The Italian government is mandated to issue further legislative decrees within twelve months, which will define crucial technical and organizational details, including specific rules for data and algorithms used in AI training, protective measures, and the system of penalties.
In the near term, companies operating in Italy must swiftly adapt to the new requirements, which include documenting AI system operations, establishing robust human oversight processes, and managing parental consent mechanisms for minors. The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) is expected to continue its active role in AI-related data privacy cases, complementing the law’s enforcement.
Looking further ahead, experts predict that Italy’s pioneering national framework could serve as a blueprint for other EU member states, particularly regarding child protection measures and criminal enforcement. The law is expected to drive economic growth, with AI projected to significantly increase Italy’s GDP annually, enhancing competitiveness across industries.
A New Chapter in AI: Comprehensive Wrap-Up and What to Watch
Italy’s Law No. 132/2025 represents a landmark achievement in AI governance, marking a new chapter in the global effort to regulate this transformative technology. As of October 10, 2025, Italy will officially stand as the first EU member state to implement a comprehensive national AI law, strategically complementing the broader EU AI Act. Its core tenets — human oversight, sector-specific regulations, robust data protection, and explicit criminal penalties for AI misuse — underscore a deep commitment to ethical, human-centric AI development.
The significance of this development in AI history cannot be overstated. Italy’s proactive approach sets a powerful precedent, demonstrating how individual nations can effectively localize and expand upon regional regulatory frameworks. It moves beyond theoretical discussions of AI ethics to concrete, enforceable legal obligations, thereby contributing to a more mature and responsible global AI landscape.
In the coming weeks and months, all eyes will be on Italy. Key areas to watch include the swift adaptation of organizations to the new compliance requirements, the issuance of critical implementing decrees that will clarify technical standards and penalties, and the initial enforcement actions taken by the designated national authorities. Italy’s bold step signals a future where AI innovation is inextricably linked with robust ethical and legal safeguards, setting a course for responsible technological progress.
