Italian municipalities lagging in AI: less than 10% have active or upcoming solutions

The adoption of artificial intelligence in Italian public administration is progressing slowly. According to the 2026 Digital Municipalities Map, based on a 2025 survey of 4,177 entities, operational solutions or those planned within twelve months involve less than 10% of municipalities. About a quarter of the entities are still only evaluating them.

The main barriers to adoption are the lack of internal technical skills, cited by 67% of municipalities, and the shortage of funds (52%). The report also highlights a concrete risk: if a municipal chatbot incorrectly states a requirement, a citizen might forfeit a right due to the error. The situation depicts a digital divide in the provision of local public services.

The integration of artificial intelligence into Italian public administration is a process that began in recent years, driven by the need to modernize services and make them more efficient. The origin of this delay dates back to the chronic lack of investment in digital innovation in the public sector, combined with a shortage of specialized professional figures within local authorities.

The "Map of Digital Municipalities" is a periodic survey that measures the state of digitalization of local authorities. The data from 2026, collected in 2025, shows that the journey is still in its early stages. While internationally there is discussion of advanced AI-based services, in Italy the priority for many municipalities remains acquiring basic skills and covering initial costs. This delay exposes citizens to a risk of service disruption and an uneven public offering across the national territory.