by Alessio Jacona *
Here is the "Italian Strategy for Artificial Intelligence": Published today by the Ministry of Economic Development, the plan (which you can read in the attached pdf at the bottom of the article) is the result of the work of the group of 30 experts selected by the MiSE, integrated with the observations collected during the public consultation held last year.
The plan - a 120-page document that contains 82 proposals to bring about "a new renaissance" - took over a year and a half of work and suggests how to develop and put artificial intelligence-based technologies at the service of the country. The main points include the investment of 800 million euros in 5 years and the creation of an Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence, an inter-ministerial body that coordinates everyone's efforts.
"The publication of this ambitious strategic plan, among the most complete in the world by vision, suggests an unprecedented and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, indicating the way for a leap towards new levels of efficiency and sustainability for businesses", says Undersecretary Mirella Liuzzi. "The goal - he adds -" is to reap the benefits that AI can bring to the country, with an approach that integrates technology and sustainable development and always puts the individual and his context at the center ".
Before Italy, several countries have adopted a strategy in this sense, while a real race to AI is underway, with giants such as China and the United States, both committed to investing huge amounts in research and development. in order to obtain the primacy in what is perhaps the most important technology of the near future,
The underlying theme of the whole strategy seems to be the need for coordination that directs and harmonizes the efforts of all stakeholders in the sector, be they public or private, that knows how to attract talent and who knows how to distribute funding fairly, avoiding waste .
The strategy - reads the introduction to the document - is divided into three parts: the first is dedicated to the analysis of the global, European and national market of Artificial Intelligence, but also of the European strategy being defined and the Italian vision, anthropocentric and oriented towards sustainable development.
The second part describes the fundamental elements of the new Italian strategy: AI for the human being, AI for a reliable productive ecosystem, AI for sustainable development.
Finally, the third examines the governance proposed for the Italian AI and proposes some recommendations for the implementation, monitoring and communication of the national strategy.
* Journalist, innovation expert and curator of the ANSA.it Artificial Intelligence Observatory