Computing the law, regulating the algorithm:
the transformative power of digital ecosystems

Much change has happened in recent years. Large segments of today’s society are automated, at least in part, raising the need for further cross-disciplinary discussions. Hence, we are delighted to announce the third edition of the “Lawtomation Days” conference.

This year, we aim to ideally “square the circle”. The key theme of the conference is the transformative power of digital ecosystems. We want to explore how technological advancements can be harnessed to create more sustainable, inclusive and ethically grounded environments. The quest for deeper analyses should prompt participants to engage in cross-disciplinary research, in line with the spirit of our Centre. Thus, we invite scholars to explore connections between different fields and methodologies to foster a holistic understanding of the issues at hand, and possibly challenge prevailing narratives. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a space for thought-provoking research that can drive forward the research agenda.

On the one hand, the conference intends to explore how law can pursue the goal of automation in fields such as consumer law, criminal law, labour law, public law, private law and trade law. On the other, it aims to provide a constructive assessment of the multiple regulatory and legislative initiatives adopted to govern the digital world, including instances of institutional activism such as the AI Act, the DMA, the DSA, the Data Act, the AI Liability and Product Liability Directives, the Data Governance Act and the Platform Work Directive.

This conference edition aims to inject a much-needed dose of realism into a world grappling with contrasting attitudes—hype and alarmism—to shed light on the effectiveness, pitfalls and potential areas for improvement in existing legal instruments. From a methodological standpoint, we emphasize critical approaches to broaden the discourse and incorporate perspectives often overlooked. We invite proposals that not only provide insights into recent developments but also critically engage with policy, legal, judicial and business advancements. We encourage contributions that explore the impacts of automation on democracy and the rule of law, fundamental rights, the environment and markets. 

The two-day conference will feature inspiring keynote speeches and panel discussions, as well as ample opportunities for networking and exchange across disciplines and generations, including during social events. Over the past years, participants have identified the “Lawtomation Days” as a flagship initiative in the academic community for the quality of contributions, harmony of the environment and richness of the connections. 

Themes

We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

Policy and legal implications: Analyzing the consequences of automation on policy drafting, legal frameworks and judicial proceedings.

The digital work environment: Exploring how digitization shapes business practices and workers’ experiences, including its impact on individual and collective labour rights.

Transformation of the internal market: Exploring the impact of automation on competition, consumer rights and the functioning of the internal market.

Democratic governance: Examining the role of digitization in shaping democratic processes, citizen engagement and accountability mechanisms.

Societal and ethical considerations: Investigating the societal and ethical dimensions of new technologies, including their implications for fairness, privacy and social justice.

Environmental sustainability: Assessing the environmental consequences of the digital transition and its potential to contribute to sustainable development goals.

The future of academia: Delving into how EdTech and GenAI are reshaping academic practices, research methodologies and the dissemination of knowledge.

These topics may be approached from various angles, such as:

• Oversight, transparency and accountability
• Fairness, bias and discrimination
• Algorithms and AI systems in workplaces
• Economic, social and environmental implications
• EU law and the twin (green and digital) transition
• The impact on human and social rights
• The global, regional and national race to regulate technologies
• Data protection in action and the notion of harm
• AI liability/product liability
• Risk-based approaches in regulation
• The role of AI and ADM in ensuring more equitable justice systems
• The contribution of AI to social justice
• Personalization, vulnerability and fragmentation in consumer markets
• Generative AI and large language models
• AI in the corporate boardroom

Keynote speakers

• Omri Ben-Shahar University of Chicago Law School
• Lilian Edwards Newcastle Law School
• Oliver Goodenough Vermont Law School
• Uma Rani International Labour Office (ILO)
• More speakers to be announced soon

Submission process

Two types of submission are possible: individual abstracts and fully formed panels. Submissions must be written in English.

• Interested participants in individual capacity are encouraged to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words.

• Proposals for fully formed panels should include between four and five presentations by participants who have agreed in advance to give their presentations. The panel chair can also be a speaker. Submitters will be asked to provide the title and a 500-word description of the panel. They should also identify the names and email addresses of all panel participants. A title should also be provided for each presenter’s contribution.

The deadline for submission is Saturday, 15 June 2024.