The role of researchers in AI Governance (CPDP 2024)

Because of the complexity of AI Governance and the need for expertise to understand the intrinsic technical, economic, societal and ethical implications of AI, researchers have a prominent role in the AI Act – as critical observers, independent advisors, alternative innovators, explainers, fact checkers and red flaggers. But writing the role of researchers into laws like the DSA or the AI Act is only the first step towards an informed and evidence-based governance framework. 

The next step is to define what exactly the position of researchers is, map what kind of affordances, rights and support they need from regulators and society to play that role, assess how it aligns with the way academia work, and critically consider how to make sure that insights from research and academia actually reach policy makers and regulators.

This AlgoSoc panel discussion, part of the Computers, Privacy and Data Protection conference 2024 (CPDP2024), discusses the role of researchers in AI governance by addressing the four following leading questions:

- What are the expectations of laws and policymakers for the role of researchers under the AI Act and the DSA?

- How to position researchers vis-à-vis policy makers and regulators, and when does the role of academics as extended arms of regulators conflict with academic independence?

- What kind of rights or affordances do we need for academics to be able to fulfil that role of ‘critical friend’ that the laws assign to them?

- More and more of research into AI safety and responsible use takes place in AI companies. How to create a healthy research ecosystem?

Panelists are:

Oana Goga, computer scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France

Matthias Spielkamp, co-founder and executive director of Algorithm Watch, Germany

Sven Schade, Joint Research Center, European Commission, Italy

Saskia Lensink, GPT-NL, Netherlands

The panel is moderated by AlgoSoc principle investigator Natali Helberger.

CPDP2024's central theme is to govern, or to be governed. Ever more systems of artificial intelligence – with apparent inescapability – are being established in ever more parts of our lives, cultures, and societies. They bring about justified concerns as well as governance efforts. In the EU, the upcoming AI Act stands out in this regard, aiming to introduce a common framework to govern artificial intelligence. As a first step, the increasing use of AI raises governance questions: for example, who should govern AI design and applications, or what may be governed by AI? CPDP2024 puts accelerating complexity of AI at the centre stage, with the underlying question: Is AI governable?

Find out more.