Algorithmic transparency and the digital rule of law

Objectives

The incorporation of AI technologies into societal infrastructures gives rise to significant legal challenges. In particular, the opaque nature of algorithmic decision-making tests the limits of existing legal frameworks and highlights the need for innovative regulatory, theoretical and legislative approaches. By convening experts from a wide range of disciplines, the objective of this conference is to facilitate an in-depth and transversal discussion on the topic of algorithmic transparency, with the intention of gathering knowledge from a variety of perspectives on matters related to governance, infrastructure, and rights in the context of AI systems.

Scope

Transparency, as a legal and regulatory principle, is a concept with multiple acceptations and articulations, influenced by its context of application. It serves as a foundational element of many efforts to enhance accountability and oversight, especially in technology regulation. Transparency has emerged as a foundational concept within recent regulatory frameworks, particularly in European contexts, yet its operationalization remains uneven across legal, technological, and policy scenarios. Its various interpretations often lead to both opportunities and challenges in implementation. Transparency's role prompts us to ask not only how it is defined or applied but also what it accomplishes in practice: what does transparency do? And what does it fail to do?

This conference seeks to explore these complexities by focusing on algorithmic transparency as a central concept in the governance of digital technologies. Organized into thematic panels, the discussions will examine critical intersections of digital technologies and their societal impacts. 

Participants

• Antoinette Rouvroy (Namur)
• Beatriz Botero (Sciences Po)
• Cédric Manara (Google/EDHEC)
• Celine Castets-Renard (University of Ottawa)
• Claire Stravato Emes (Sciences Po)
• Edoardo Celeste (Dublin City)
• Emílio Peluso Meyer (UFMG)
• Félix Tréguer (La Quadrature du Net)
• Giovanni de Gregorio (Católica Lisbon)
• João Pedro Quintais (University of Amsterdam)
• Julie Cohen (Georgetown)
• Lucas Anjos (Sciences Po)
• Marta Arisi (Sciences Po)
• Paddy Leerssen (University of Amsterdam)
• Petros Terzis (University of Amsterdam)
• Rachel Griffin (Sciences Po)
• Raphaële Xenidis (Sciences Po)
• Rebecca Mignot-Mahdavi (Sciences Po)
• Sergi Galvez (OECD)
• Séverine Dusollier (Sciences Po)