The appeal of Italian startups to the Chamber: AI is the future, not bureaucracy, stop to the AI ​​Act requested

The conference “AI is the future, not bureaucracy”, promoted by the Hon. Andrea Volpi, took place today, June 30, 2025, in the Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies. The event represented a moment of discussion and reflection on the entry into force of the AI ​​Act and on the implications that the new regulation will have for the innovation ecosystem in Italy.

During the meeting, the appeal of Italian startups was officially launched, asking for a more agile regulatory approach, capable of enhancing the potential of Artificial Intelligence without hindering the growth of companies: "we ask that the AI ​​Act also be subjected to a similar suspension mechanism: a 24-month technical pause, a Stop-the-clock that allows for a phase of reflection and to correct the critical issues currently present in the regulation and prevent it from becoming a brake on development". A clear request for an innovation governance that puts competitiveness and sustainable development at the center.

Authoritative representatives of the institutional and business world spoke: the Hon. Andrea Volpi (XI Commission Public and Private Work), Gabriele Ferrieri (President ANGI), Lorenzo Luce (CEO BigProfiles), Marco Scioli (CEO Starting Finance), Manila Di Giovanni (CEO DWorld) and Fabio Vantaggiato (CEO Easy Health). Moderation by Roberto Magnifico Partner Zest Innovation. the Hon. Andrea Volpi, XI Commission for Public and Private Employment, on the concept of transformation brought by artificial intelligence, underlined how: “I share in form and substance the appeal that Italian Startups presented today to the Chamber of Deputies for a more streamlined and enabling regulation of innovation. The title of the conference, AI is the future and not bureaucracy, says it all: artificial intelligence represents a historic opportunity for Italian companies and an essential driver for the competitiveness of our innovative startups. We need to give a voice to the actors of the future, startups and young talents who could be penalized by a European approach that is too rigid and not adequate to the operational reality. The risk is the delocalization of AI projects and the consequence is the flight of talent and capital, intervening from a bureaucratic point of view to avoid this risk means protecting the national interest”.

Gabriele Ferrieri, President of ANGI, highlighted the presence of standards that are too rigid for start-ups : “ In the face of such a growth prospect for the sector, the AI ​​Act risks creating constraints that are too rigid for the future of start-ups. In fact, European companies will only have 6-8 months to adapt to over 35 technical standards, when the average adaptation to a standard requires 12 to 24 months. The standards designed at European level risk creating unintentional obstacles to innovation because they are too prescriptive and complex, with excessive requests for documentation, multiple audits and the obligation to have personnel dedicated to compliance ”.

Marco Scioli, CEO Starting Finance, Building Innovation in Europe Without Excessive Obstacles : “ Those doing business today in the digital world are faced every day with a growing distrust of risk and a system of rules not designed to support emerging models, as well as costs that are often difficult to manage, especially for younger companies .”

Manila Di Giovanni, CEO DWorld, underlined how the concept of regulation does not mean holding back but accompanying development, with responsibility and vision : “ An opportunity for the entire European industry, while the United Kingdom and Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Singapore choose more flexible and concrete approaches to attract innovation, Europe risks being blocked by rules designed for another era. Now is the time to decide whether we want to be protagonists of change or simply chase it. The world of start-ups is ready to do its part for fair regulation, but we need the right amount of time to align ourselves with clear and realistic standards ”.

Lorenzo Luce, CEO BigProfiles, on the AI ​​Act : “ The AI ​​Act was born with shared objectives: protection of rights, transparency, security. But in practice, for many companies, it translates into obligations, costs and uncertainty. 70% of our turnover is foreign. This is a fact that gives us pause for thought. It means that domestic demand is weaker than international demand. And if Europe now introduces a further regulatory barrier, the risk is that we will witness a further weakening of our ecosystem. The fear of sanctions does not only slow down innovation. It makes it regress ”.

Fabio Vantaggiato, CEO Easy Health, said : “ AI is already in our hospitals, but it risks remaining a wasted opportunity for our businesses. Recent data from the Digital Health Observatory of the Milan Polytechnic tell of a reality that is much more advanced than often imagined, doctors and nurses have already used generative AI tools in healthcare settings and yet, Italy continues to invest little and has too much bureaucracy: We cannot afford healthcare based on imported algorithms. We want intelligent healthcare, built here, with our data, for our citizens and according to our values ”.