The debate on artificial intelligence (AI) often focuses on ethical issues, risks, and impacts on the labor market, but there is another equally crucial aspect that deserves more attention: infrastructure. Without adequate computing power, which directly depends on data centers, no AI algorithm can function.
Today, global computational capacity is primarily concentrated in the United States and China, leaving Europe behind in a strategic sector like digital infrastructure. In this context, Giulio Fazio, in an article published in EM Energia e Mercato, emphasizes that Italy, if it wants to play a significant role and remain competitive in the global market, must urgently intervene in regulatory terms.
The current Italian system is characterized by a strong fragmentation of the authorizations required to build data centers, a factor that creates uncertainty, extends implementation times, and can compromise the bankability of projects. To overcome these obstacles, the 2026 „Decree on Bills“ was introduced, which provides for a single authorization process for the construction and expansion of data centers, with a maximum term of 10 months for the release of permits.
However, the factor of time remains crucial: in a sector where time-to-market is decisive for competitiveness, even a few months of delay can make a difference. It is therefore essential that Italy adopts a timely and efficient approach, capable of attracting investments and developing infrastructure on par with the global challenge.
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