Florence – On Monday, October 26, Italian President Sergio Mattarella called for appropriate regulations governing artificial intelligence. In a speech in Florence, he warned of the consequences of manipulated information on the formation of public opinion and democratic decision-making.
Mattarella spoke at the fifth Festival of the Regions and Autonomous Provinces at the Palazzo Vecchio. He explained that fake news is already influencing people’s perceptions of events and their opinions. The impact of such manipulation is not limited to purchasing decisions.
Mattarella Warns of Losing Control Over AI
At the same time, the president spoke out against a blanket rejection of new technologies. These could contribute to the well-being of society. However, he said, it is crucial to prevent their misuse and uncontrolled application. This also means ensuring that AI does not become a tool of power in the hands of a few at the expense of the rights of the many.
Mattarella praised the European regulations designed to limit applications that run counter to the public interest. Nevertheless, he noted, there is a risk that technological development could slip beyond human control. The consequences of fierce competition among a small number of providers are not yet sufficiently predictable from a scientific standpoint. He therefore explicitly linked the use of technology to the protection of human dignity and democratic values.
