Italy has promulgated its AI Act implementing Decree No 179/2026, in force since 23 October

Legislative Decree No 179 of 7 October 2026 on the powers of national authorities and the use of artificial intelligence in education was published in the Italian Official Journal (Gazzetta Ufficiale No 234) on 8 October 2026. It entered into force on 23 October 2026.

The notifying authority is AgID (Article 4); the main market surveillance authority and single point of contact is ACN (Articles 5 and 6). Alongside it, supervisory powers are also held by the Banca d’Italia, CONSOB, IVASS and the Italian data protection authority.

Article 41 requires employers to ensure that final decisions on the establishment, modification or termination of an employment relationship, including disciplinary measures and performance assessments, are not taken solely on the basis of automated processing. The final decision must always be taken by a natural person with effective and autonomous authority, and the employee's consent does not create an exception. The search for and pre-selection of candidates fall outside the rule. On request, the employee is entitled to an intelligible explanation of the decision.