New technologies and the law
The minute it’s perfect, it’s already imperfect and that’s grace, we should be grateful for that.
This love of imperfection or cherishing of it, and not giving up in the face of it is what makes all successful computer science and all successful software development and presumably all successful law
How can we ensure that technological innovations respect our rights?
Technology is embedded in our everyday lives and is also becoming more and more autonomous. These technological developments happen so quickly that they can outpace the institutions that democratic societies have built to protect our rights and basic freedoms. Frontline problems with privacy, surveillance, and the use of data show how technological transformations can crash into our lives.
Leading European authority on the intersection of technology and the law Mireille Hildebrandt, in conversation with UNSW cybersecurity expert Richard Buckland dissect this ever more prevalent tension.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Australian Society for Computers and Law.
The Centre for Ideas’ international conversation series brings the world to Sydney. Each digital event brings a leading UNSW thinker together with their international peer or hero to explore inspiration, new ideas and discoveries.
Mireille Hildebrandt
Mireille Hildebrandt is Research Professor of Interfacing Law and Technology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her research explores computational law, including machine learning and blockchain technology. Her forthcoming book Law for Computer Scientists and Other Folk explores how the rule of law protects to the crucial components of constitutional democracy, and why those who design new technologies need to understand the far-reaching impacts.
Richard Buckland
Richard Buckland is a Professor of Cybersecurity in the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW Sydney. He is a frequent commentator on Australia’s cybersecurity risks, and the existential threat of cybercrime to our modern world if it erodes trust in systems and institutions. An award-winning educator, and UNSW Director of Teaching Practice, he is renowned for creating powerful learning communities.