The national strategic plan for artificial intelligence is approved
The Italian Council of Ministers has approved, with some delay compared to the European Coordinated Plan of 2018, the National Strategic Plan for Artificial Intelligence.
The plan includes 24 policies to be implemented in the three years period 2022-2024, which will go towards strengthening the AI system in Italy, reinforcing research and incentivizing technology transfer.
The national program is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of University and Research, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition.
Three focus areas:
Talents and Skills, to strengthen skills and attract talents to develop an Artificial Intelligence ecosystem in Italy;
Advanced Research in AI; for the creation of an Italian research ecosystem in AI, promoting collaborations between the academic and research world, industry, public bodies and society. For this purpose, it is expected the use of the tools of the Public-Private Partnership and technology transfer to allow the transition of innovations from research to the industry world;
Application of AI both in industries and in Public Administration. Measures for companies are aimed at supporting Transition 4.0, encouraging the birth and growth of innovative AI companies and supporting them in the experimentation and certification of AI products. The interventions for the Public Administration are aimed at the creation of data infrastructures to securely exploit the potential of the big data generated by the PA, the simplification and personalization of the offer of public services and the innovation of administrations.
The objectives of the strategy are instead six:
- Strengthen frontier research in AI
- Reduce the fragmentation of AI research
- Develop and adopt an anthropocentric and reliable AI in the public and private sectors
- Increase AI-based innovation and development of artificial intelligence technology
- Develop AI-based policies and services in the public sector
- Create, retain and attract AI researchers in Italy.
The national strategic plan on AI is closely linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in particular, and with all evidence to missions 1 (Digitalization, Innovation, Competitiveness) and 4 (Education and Research); not for nothing it borrows some tools such as the use of Public-Private Partnership and technology transfer.
Even the possible funds and investment sources appear the same as those already provided for the PNRR without a clear and univocal allocation in support of IA projects. In that case, the difference will be made by the projects presented and the choice of those to be financed by the competent PP.AA.