AI: Possible Developments and Ethical Implications in the Global market.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the development of hardware and software systems that can replicate typical human abilities, such as interaction with the environment, learning, adaptation, reasoning, and planning. These systems are designed to make decisions autonomously, performing tasks that typically require human intervention. Despite the complexity of the technology, the concept of Artificial Intelligence is simple: it is about developing systems that can learn and adapt autonomously, inspired by human learning models. Artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest technological revolutions humanity has ever faced. From Machine Learning techniques to Robotics, including Neural Networks, AI is based on a deep human aspiration: to create a "machine" capable of reflecting its own capabilities. The fields of application of this technology are countless, with the potential to profoundly transform the world of business and public administration, as well as significantly improve people's lives. However, ethical and philosophical questions related to the use of AI are also emerging. It is important for the technological development of our industrial fabric to understand how widespread AI is already in the Italian and European context and how ready Italy is to face this transformation. What role can Italy play in the artificial intelligence value chain? However, in addition to the many benefits, artificial intelligence also comes with some risks. The main risks are related to the loss of control on the technology, the misuse of AI, or the replacement of human labor in many sectors, with serious economic and social repercussions. The issue of the risks arising from the use of AI is closely linked to that of ethics: AI can inherit biases from the data on which it is trained, leading to discrimination or unfair decisions. It is therefore essential to establish ethical, transparent and accountable systems that respect human rights and freedoms. All things considered, on 13 March 2024, the European Parliament approved by a large majority the AI Act, the world's first regulation on artificial intelligence. The AI Act was drawn up with the aim of respecting fundamental human rights and ensuring the development of the economies of member countries through forms of support for businesses. After analysing the state of the art of AI deployment in Italy according to the latest data from 2023 from the Observatory of Digital Innovation in SMEs, the study focuses on the analysis of the AI law and the significant impact that this regulation will have on competitiveness between Europe and the rest of the world, as well as on the influence on the design choices of Italian companies.