AI, final approval from the Senate: it's law. Here's what's changed.

The Senate has definitively approved the bill delegating power to the government on artificial intelligence, which has now become law.

There were 77 yes votes, 55 no votes, and 2 abstentions.

The 28-article text establishes "principles for research, testing, development, adoption, and application of AI systems and models." It "promotes the correct, transparent, and responsible use of artificial intelligence, within a human-centric framework, aimed at seizing its opportunities. It ensures oversight of the economic and social risks and the impact on fundamental rights" of AI.

Within a year, the government will have to adopt one or more legislative decrees to align Italian law with the European AI Act and to establish comprehensive rules for the use of data and algorithms to train AI systems.

The text is composed of 28 articles . Chapter I summarizes the principles and objectives, such as the use of AI while respecting privacy and freedom of democratic debate .

Chapter II enters into the sector provisions .

In healthcare, the use of AI is permitted under certain conditions to support diagnosis and treatment, but without prejudice to doctors' final decisions and with the patient's right to be informed.

In the employment sector, the implementation of a National Observatory is envisaged with the aim of maximizing benefits and minimizing risks. It is also established that the client or employer must inform the employee of the use of AI. Professionals have the same disclosure obligation towards their clients.

A series of articles address the implications for justice, starting with the addition to the Criminal Code of the crime of "illegal dissemination of content generated or manipulated with AI systems," punishable by one to five years "if the act results in unjustified harm." The malicious use of AI systems will also be considered a common aggravating circumstance and increases penalties by a third in cases of impersonation, fraud, money laundering, self-laundering, and stock market manipulation.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice will be empowered to exercise, among other things, the right to establish instruments, including precautionary measures, in civil, administrative, and criminal matters to prevent the dissemination and remove illegally generated content. Regarding its use in judicial proceedings, it is established that all decisions regarding the interpretation and application of the law are always reserved to the judge.