Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for an EU Summit in Brussels

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for an EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 29, 2023. By Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com.

World

Italy’s AI Law: How Meloni’s Bold Move Redefines EU’s AI Governance

Italy passed a national AI law: regulates deepfakes, protects minors, mandates AI content labels.

byAndres Castro

September 25, 2025, 8:54 AM

Executive Summary

Italy has become the first European nation to enact a comprehensive national law on artificial intelligence, preceding the broader European Union AI Act.

The new Italian law introduces robust regulations addressing deepfakes, digital transparency, the protection of minors, and mandatory labeling of AI-generated content, imposing substantial fines for non-compliance.

Italy’s proactive legislative step establishes a precedent for member states and could influence the implementation strategies and harmonization of AI regulations across the EU.

The Story So Far

Italy has become the first European nation to enact a comprehensive national law on artificial intelligence, preceding the broader European Union AI Act which is still under development. This proactive legislation addresses growing concerns over AI misuse, particularly regarding deepfakes and the protection of minors, and sets a significant precedent for member states, potentially influencing the harmonization of AI regulations across the EU.

Why This Matters

Italy’s enactment of the first comprehensive national AI law in the EU, ahead of the broader EU AI Act, sets a significant precedent for member states, introducing robust regulations on deepfakes, content labeling, and the protection of minors with substantial fines for non-compliance. This proactive step could influence how other EU nations approach AI governance and raises important questions about the eventual harmonization of AI regulations across the Union.

Who Thinks What?

Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, believes in proactive and comprehensive national AI regulation, enacting a law to address deepfakes, digital transparency, and the protection of minors, complete with mandatory labeling and substantial fines, ahead of broader EU legislation.

The European Union is developing its own comprehensive AI Act, and Italy’s early national law raises questions about the interplay and potential influence of member state actions on the bloc’s overall harmonized regulatory framework.

Other EU member states, such as Spain, are deliberating similar AI legislation and proposals concerning AI labeling but have not yet enacted comprehensive national laws, indicating a more cautious or deliberative approach to AI governance compared to Italy.

Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has become the first European nation to enact a comprehensive national law on artificial intelligence, preceding the broader European Union AI Act. This significant legislative step, particularly notable for a country not typically considered a technological leader, introduces robust regulations addressing deepfakes, digital transparency, the protection of minors, and the mandatory labeling of AI-generated content, while imposing substantial fines for non-compliance.

National AI Framework Takes Shape

The newly passed Italian law represents an early national interpretation of the principles outlined in the upcoming EU AI Act. It details specific measures to combat the misuse of AI technologies, particularly concerning the creation of deepfakes and the need for clear digital transparency.

A core focus of the legislation is the protection of vulnerable populations, especially minors, from the potential harms of unregulated AI content. Companies failing to adhere to these new standards face heavy financial penalties, underscoring the law’s forceful intent.

Broader European Context

Italy’s proactive stance raises important questions about the interplay between national and community-wide regulatory frameworks within the EU. While the bloc is developing its own comprehensive AI Act, Italy’s move establishes a precedent for member states to implement their own regulations in advance.

The Italian law bears a level of detail and enforcement similar to Spain’s recent proposals concerning AI labeling. However, a key distinction lies in Italy’s decision to enact its proposal into law, whereas Spain continues to deliberate its own AI legislation and the role of its AI supervision agency.

Implications for EU Harmonization

This development highlights the dynamic landscape of AI governance across Europe, as individual nations grapple with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Italy’s early legislative action could influence the implementation strategies of other member states or prompt further discussions on the harmonization of AI regulations across the Union.