Digital technologies affect on the daily lives of billions of people around the world. The decisions of private platforms and tech developers — and the public institutions that regulate their conduct — can shape public discourse, with profound impacts on democracy, liberty, autonomy, and governance.
This panel provides a broad overview of the landscape for regulating cutting-edge digital technologies in Europe and the US. The discussion focuses on mechanisms for ensuring tech developers and platforms build and deploy their products and services in a manner that is consistent with fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and privacy. Panelists bring a wealth of experience to the table and will address considerations with respect to the role that strategic litigation, legislation and regulation, and multi-stakeholder initiatives that operate outside of government can play in setting a human rights tech agenda. Topics of discussion will include the advent of a new privacy regime in Europe in the form of the General Data Protection Regulation; challenging surveillance in the age of mass data collection; the complex landscape for platforms making content moderation decisions; and the long-range impact of technologies that incorporate algorithms, AI, and, machine learning.
Panelists:
Nani Jansen Reventlow
Nani is the founding Director of the Digital Freedom Fund, which supports partners in Europe to advance digital rights through strategic litigation. Nani is also an Associate Tenant at Doughty Street Chambers, a Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School and has been an advisor to Harvard’s Cyberlaw Clinic since 2016.Can Yeginsu
Can is a barrister (HLS ‘08) practising commercial law, public international law, and human rights law from 4 New Square Chambers in Lincoln's Inn, London. Can is also Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School (international human rights) and Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center and Koç University Law School (international investment law and arbitration).Vivek Krishnamurthy
Vivek is Counsel at the law firm Foley Hoag LLP, where his practice addresses complex regulatory and human rights-related challenges facing businesses that operate across borders, both in cyberspace and in real space. He previously served as a Clinical Instructor and Lecturer on Law at HLS and Assistant Director of the Cyberlaw Clinic, where he remains an advisor. He is an affiliate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & SocietyJessica Fjeld (Panel Moderator)
Jessica is a Clinical Instructor and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and Assistant Director of the Law School’s Cyberlaw Clinic, based at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. She is a member of the board of the Global Network Initiative.
This event is supported by the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Initiative at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. In conjunction with the MIT Media Lab, the Initiative is developing activities, research, and tools to ensure that fast-advancing AI serves the public good. Learn more at /topics/ethics-and-governance-ai.
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