2024
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and the Law
This open access book presents an interdisciplinary, multi-authored, edited collection of chapters on Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) and the Law. AI technology has come to play a central role in the modern data economy. Through a combination of increased computing power, the growing availability of data and the advancement of algorithms, AI has now become an umbrella term for some of the most transformational technological breakthroughs of this age. The importance of AI stems from both the opportunities that it offers and the challenges that it entails. While AI applications hold the promise of economic growth and efficiency gains, they also create significant risks and uncertainty. The potential and perils of AI have thus come to dominate modern discussions of technology and ethics – and although AI was initially allowed to largely develop without guidelines or rules, few would deny that the law is set to play a fundamental role in shaping the future of AI. As the debate over AI is far from over, the need for rigorous analysis has never been greater. This book thus brings together contributors from different fields and backgrounds to explore how the law might provide answers to some of the most pressing questions raised by AI. An outcome of the Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law and its interdisciplinary working group on Law and Artificial Intelligence, it includes contributions by leading scholars in the fields of technology, ethics and the law. EU AI Regulation: The book critically examines the proposed EU AI Act, Digital Services Act, and Digital Markets Act, analyzing how they shape the governance of AI in Europe. Ethics and Human Rights: Several chapters explore how AI intersects with fundamental rights, democracy, and human dignity, particularly in the context of EU Charter rights. Transparency and Explainability: It discusses the need for AI systems to be transparent, interpretable, and subject to legal accountability, including issues like algorithmic bias and decision-making. Legal Theory and Enforcement: Legal scholars dissect the limits of current legal concepts (e.g., liability, personhood, intent) when applied to AI systems. The challenges of regulatory enforcement and jurisdiction are also addressed. AI and Sector-Specific Law: The volume includes deep dives into AI in finance, healthcare, and data governance, emphasizing the EU’s risk-based regulatory strategy. Global Perspectives, EU Focus: While international viewpoints are included, the European Union’s legal framework serves as the book’s backbone. ISBN 9783031412646 9783031412639
Sousa Antunes Henrique, Pedro Miguel Freitas, Arlindo L Oliveira, Elsa Vaz de Sequeira, Clara Martins Pereira, Luis Barreto Xavier