The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum that brings together Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The European Union also participates in the Group and is represented at the summits by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
On January 1, 2024, Italy assumed, for the seventh time, the Presidency of the G7.
In addition to the Apulia Summit, during 2024 Italy will host 20 Ministerial Meetings. The meetings will take place in various Italian cities, as part of a logistical effort that includes a leading role of the local institutions.
The first ministerial meeting will take place on March 14-15 in Verona and Trento.
Industry, Tech and Digital Ministers’ Meeting
The first day of the G7 Ministerial meeting on March 14 in Verona will be chaired by the Minister of Enterprises and "Made in Italy" Adolfo Urso.
In recent years industrial processes witnessed a sharp acceleration of the development of new technologies. Within the G7 context, this ongoing transformation required an integration of the perspective of Ministers of Digital and Technology with that of Ministers of Industry. The Italian Presidency aims to ensure that the development and adoption of next-generation technologies concretely contributes to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of our industrial ecosystems. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that the adoption of new technologies on a global scale meets criteria of democracy, ethics, as well as environmental, social, and economic sustainability. We are also committed to ensuring that the adoption of new technologies globally meets democratic and ethical as well as environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria.
Foster the digital transformation of industry
The discussion is focused on coordinating actions to consolidate and foster the digital transformation of industry, with the aim of governing the risks arising from the adoption of new technologies and fully exploiting the benefits in terms of productivity. In particular, we aim to share policy strategies for fostering private investments and directing public support, with a focus on the most promising advanced technologies: Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies, as tools to support enterprises. Furthermore, strengthening security and sustainability of semiconductors and critical raw materials supply chains is a priority. This is also crucial to reduce dependence on third countries.
Explore the opportunities of digital connections
Moreover, we reaffirm the importance of ensuring connectivity systems based on secure and resilient digital infrastructures. Within this framework, we intend to cooperate to explore the opportunities of digital connections developed through the exploitation of Space and undersea cable networks. In line with the work of the Japanese Presidency, we also confirm our commitment to the promotion of responsible, secure, and sustainable use of Space.
A sustainable and inclusive development
We also intend to involve developing countries in the debate, recognizing that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence systems plays a crucial role in accelerating global growth and well-being. Therefore, we must create conditions for sustainable and inclusive digital development so that the benefits of new technologies are shared equitably among all countries. To achieve this, it is important to promote opportunities for dialogue, and sharing best practices to ensure the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and that the integration of these technologies meets requirements of fairness and inclusion.
The second day of the G7 Ministerial meeting on March 15 in Trento will be chaired by the Under Secretary of State for Technological Innovation Alessio Butti.
The Italian Presidency - Department for Digital Transformation – promotes the safe, secure and trustworthy development and use of AI systems with a particular focus on the use of AI in the public sector.
Furthermore, the Presidency proposes to develop a Compendium focused on the efficient, inclusive, and secure delivery and access to digital public services, in accordance with shared G7 values.
Safe, secure and trustworthy, deployment and use of AI systems in the public sector
AI represents one of the most intriguing and promising fields of innovation and has the potential to dramatically improve our lives. The development, deployment and use of all AI systems need to include ethical considerations and respect the democratic values of G7 countries, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and ensure accountability, while preventing and mitigating possible misuse and abuse.
To this end, the Italian Presidency proposes to develop a Toolkit for the ethical and human-centered development and use of all AI systems in the public sector.
In addition, the Presidency will leverage the work of the Japanese G7 Presidency and integrate the outcomes of the Hiroshima Artificial Intelligence Process (HAIP) to develop, together with relevant stakeholders, appropriate mechanisms for voluntary monitoring of the adoption of the “International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI Systems”.
Digital Government Systems
A robust digital public infrastructure facilitates an easy, user-friendly, and secure access to essential public services, enables resilience, and fosters inclusion. The Presidency will develop a Compendium on Digital Government Systems, sharing examples of how G7 governments are approaching and leveraging digital public infrastructure.
On 15 March, at the end of the Ministerial Meeting in Trento, G7 members will adopt the Industry, Digital and Tech Declaration.