Artificial intelligence, USA and China dominate. Mantovano calls for "a change of pace at EU level"

Regulating artificial intelligence is not enough. Europe risks becoming increasingly dependent on the technologies of others and the conditions set for using them. The warning comes from Alfredo Mantovano, undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council and authority delegated to the security of the Republic, at the Digital innovation forum 2026: «If the security standards and access rules» to artificial intelligence tools «continue to be defined by others – Washington, Beijing or in large private laboratories – Europe will find itself increasingly in a passive position, in which it will have to limit itself to operating as a second-instance regulator and as a dependent user».

The issue directly affects European defence. Mantovano puts the terms of the problem in line: «There is this United States-China polarization, and Europe and the nations that are part of it find themselves in a difficult position: however strong the integration in the EU is and however much we are inserted in the Atlantic Alliance, Europe defends itself to a very significant extent with strategic technologies developed outside its borders. This dependence concerns not only the availability of technologies, but above all the possibility of influencing the conditions under which they are developed, distributed and used".

It's not just a pursuit of innovation. It is a question of strategic autonomy. The request to Brussels is to support the development of European technologies: «in the face of these difficulties, a change of pace is necessary at EU level. An effort is needed to support member states in developing technological capabilities that rival those of America and China. The road ahead is not short."

The Italian response also passes through law 132 of 2025, the first organic national intervention on artificial intelligence. The provision regulates the use of AI in the most sensitive sectors and aims to strengthen the country's technological supply chain.

The rules are accompanied by investments: up to one billion euros to support companies active in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Resources, Mantovano specifies, "in favor of small and medium-sized enterprises with high development potential".