The Italian Data Protection Authority (IDPA) issued a statement on January 29, asserting that OpenAI had violated data protection and privacy laws in the country. The IDPA, after conducting a "factual investigation," concluded that OpenAI's widely used artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, was not in compliance with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as stated in the released statement. The investigative process had initially begun in November 2023, focusing on scrutinizing online AI data scraping practices. OpenAI was provided with a 30-day window to submit any counterclaims regarding the alleged breaches following the notice.
The IDPA indicated that the ongoing work of the working group established by the European Data Protection Framework would be taken into account when finalizing the situation. This development follows Italy's initial ban on ChatGPT in March 2023, making Italy the first country globally to ban AI chatbots following a data breach that exposed personal user information. Despite facing criticism, Italian regulators later lifted the ban, contingent on OpenAI meeting specific transparency measures. ChatGPT resumed operations in Italy on April 29, 2023.
Italy has been actively monitoring the advancements and implementation of AI technologies. In May 2023, the Italian government allocated a multimillion-dollar fund to support workers whose jobs may be at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance digital skill development among targeted at-risk groups. On January 26, 2024, Italy fined the city of Trento $54,000 for the misuse of AI technology in a scientific research project involving cameras, microphones, and social networks—marking the first fine of this nature imposed on an Italian city.
In the context of its presidency in the Group of Seven (G7) in 2024, Italy has expressed plans to prioritize the regulation of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced her intention to convene a special meeting with G7 members focusing on artificial intelligence before the scheduled first leaders' summit in June.
