Algorithmic Rule By Law: How Algorithmic Regulation in the Public Sector Erodes the Rule of Law

Join the Harvard European Law Association and the Harvard Law Artificial Intelligence Association for a conversation on algorithmic regulation with Professor Nathalie Smuha, co-rapporteur of the European Parliament on the EU AI Act.

The adoption of algorithmic regulation tends to be motivated by the desire to improve public services and to better fulfil citizens’ rights, thus seemingly contributing to the rule of law. However, in practice, many use cases have demonstrated how reliance on algorithmic systems can undermine the law’s protective power and instead lead to rule by law. This risk is neither hypothetical, nor limited to authoritarian regimes. In Europe, the creation of the European Union’s AI Act offered a beacon of hope to address this concern, yet EU legislators ultimately failed to take it into account in their regulation.

At this event, Nathalie Smuha will argue that there is a significant misalignment between the EU’s digital agenda and its rule of law agenda, which urgently needs to be addressed to counter the threat of algorithmic rule by law.

The conversation will be moderated by Slavina Ancheva. Lunch will be provided.

Register here: https://forms.gle/mX4tDmZ2W9Bb8TDx5