Avatars, Drones & Data Infrastructure: Border Control Under the European AI Act

How are avatars, drones and data infrastructure (re)shaping European liberal democracies? What do fully technologized borders mean for the liberal subject? How does the AI-Act change the discourse on these questions? In this presentation, Dr. Eisenberger will address how the AI-Act claims to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. Upon closer examination of special provisions in the AI-Act, such as those for high-risk AI systems, her analysis shows that the AI-Act in fact intensifies the technologization of border control. In doing so, it undermines the very objectives the act wants to achieve, and will effectively erode democratic principles, including protections of the liberal subject.

Iris Eisenberger is Professor of Innovation and Public Law and Deputy Head of the Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law at the University of Vienna. Her research focuses on innovation and technology law, the protection of fundamental and human rights, and the intersection of law, innovation, and society. She has wide experience in interdisciplinary research and in conducting nationally and internationally funded research projects. She has published in journals such as Law, Innovation and Technology; Oxford Journal of Legal Studies; Computer Law and Security Review; and Nature Nanotechnology.

This event will only be held in-person in the History Conference Room, Building 200, Room 307.