Banca d'Italia unveils 2026-2028 plan for digital payments and AI

Banca d'Italia's 2026-2028 Strategic Plan outlines four key objectives to navigate a complex global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, rapid technological innovation, and economic fragmentation.

The first objective focuses on enhancing the Bank's proactive capacity to respond to external changes and effectively communicate its institutional actions.

This involves leveraging integrated data, advanced predictive tools, and agile decision-making.

The second objective centers on developing and valuing human capital, with a significant emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence to streamline operational and decision-making processes, making them more agile and efficient.

These internal transformations are crucial for maintaining the Bank's authority and relevance within the national and international context, ensuring a flexible allocation of resources towards priority activities.

Banca d'Italia aims to strengthen its role in payment systems, particularly through developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

As a key player in the Alliance for the Digital Euro, the Bank promotes a modern, secure public payment instrument vital for monetary sovereignty.

This includes blockchain integration projects like Appia and Pontes for euro settlement.

Another strategic focus is overseeing new financial technologies.

This involves enhancing supervision of intermediaries, anti-money laundering (AML) oversight, and customer protection, adapting to evolving business models.

Cyber risk management is also a critical priority for the Bank's internal operations and its role in Italian financial infrastructure.