The Italian government is allocating up to 1 billion euros, approximately IDR 17 trillion (based on an assumed exchange rate of IDR 17,000 per euro), to support artificial intelligence (AI) development projects. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the plan during an event in Rome on Tuesday (12/3), two days ahead of Italy hosting a G7 technology ministers' meeting where AI will be the main agenda. The investment aims to promote AI projects and advocate for "ethical regulations" regarding its usage. This fund, comprising both new and existing funds, serves as initial capital to attract further investments aimed at shaping "Italy's approach to AI development". Additionally, Italy is drafting its own legislation regarding AI usage. Meloni emphasized the importance of ethical boundaries in AI development, stating, "This is a technology that can unleash its full positive potential only if its development is carried out within ethical rules that prioritize human beings, their rights, and needs."
The rapid advancement of AI has garnered global attention, triggered by the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, an OpenAI Microsoft generative program capable of writing stories, creating images, writing computer code, and more from simple text commands. Meloni highlighted that AI will be a priority during Italy's presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthiest nations this year. At the recent G7 ministers' meetings in Verona and Trento last Thursday and Friday, Rome aimed to work towards "tools for the development and use of all AI systems in the public sector that are ethical and human-centered". Italy is also striving to develop "appropriate mechanisms for voluntary monitoring" of the implementation of non-binding ethical codes agreed upon by G7 nations last year for the most advanced AI system developers.
