The Italian public administration is stepping firmly toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with the recent publication of guidelines by the Agenzia per l'Italia Digitale (AGID) on February 18. These guidelines signal the first of three strategic documents aimed at shaping how AI is used within public services over the next few years, setting the stage for what could become a transformative shift in governance.
These guidelines, currently available for public consultation until March 20, are part of the broader Triennial Plan for IT within the public administration, indicating the Italian government's serious commitment to modernize its approach through technology. Notably, the framework dedicates specific emphasis to ethical AI use, ensuring adherence to principles of transparency, accountability, and less discrimination.
According to the guidelines, the public administration must work to leverage AI's advantages through appropriate management, organizational and cultural factors, as well as technological advancements. "La PA, al fine di cogliere in modo consapevole i vantaggi dell’IA, DEVE lavorare su una serie di fattori abilitanti, di tipo gestionale, organizzativo e culturale oltre che tecnologico," stresses one AGID official, illustrating the need for holistic development in the use of AI technologies.
The guidelines also outline specific models for the strategic adoption of AI—from planning and implementation to monitoring and continuous improvement—ensuring public agencies are well-equipped to integrate these technologies responsibly. Fabio Massimi, who works within AGID's technical coordination office, shared insight during the development process, stating, "Abbiamo iniziato a lavorare in comune accordo... le Linee guida sono state gestite all’interno del Tavolo di concertazione."
This collaborative approach suggests strong input from various public administrations, enhancing the relevancy and effectiveness of the guidelines being produced.
Special emphasis is placed on effective data management practices, which include issues of data quality, interoperability, and personal data protection. With cyber threats continually changing the security environment, the guidelines propose comprehensive measures for safeguarding data as well. There’s also advice on how to deal with high-risk AI systems as delineated by the European Union's AI Act, reiterative of Europe’s regulatory framework on AI technologies.
The intention behind drafting these guidelines is explicit: improve the operational efficiency of public services, support informed decision-making, and most critically, to improve citizen services through AI with personalisation, proactive engagement, and inclusivity. The document highlights how AI can potentially lead to more accessible and transparent services for citizens and businesses alike.
"Questa prima Linea guida ha un approccio organizzativo che si lega a quanto già definito dal Piano Triennale," adds Massimi, pointing out the need to align with existing IT frameworks and practices to facilitate smooth integration of AI technologies across the board.
The guidelines even touch upon training and development agendas, establishing the importance of acquiring the right skill sets among public officials and stakeholders. This ensures decision-makers are fully equipped to evaluate AI tools effectively, as public leaders will play pivotal roles as facilitators of this digital transformation.
The resulting framework establishing governance for AI within public administration also includes best practice models, evaluation criteria, and performance indicators aimed at effectively measuring the deployment of AI solutions. With nine annexes providing practical tools, public administrations are expected to be able to assess their maturity levels and streamline the adoption process accordingly.
Public input is now being sought to refine these guidelines before their finalization. The open consultation aims to gather suggestions and crowdsourced feedback to improve both the technical content and the overall clarity of the guidelines. This reflects AGID's commitment to create inclusive and user-friendly documentation for every public entity involved.
For more information or to participate, the public is invited to access the guidelines on AGID’s official site dedicated to AI, marking an exciting moment for Italy’s public administration to embrace the future of AI and potentially uplift the efficacy of public services.