In the fifth episode of the Research Conversations podcast, Bart van der Sloot, author of the new open-access book "Regulating the Synthetic Society: Generative AI, Legal Questions and Societal Challenges," is interviewed by Chat GPT about his thought-provoking work. The episode delves into the inspiration behind the book, which stemmed from van der Sloot's involvement in writing a report on deep fakes and their impact on society at the request of the Dutch government. The podcast explores the potential societal implications of AI-generated and manipulated content, such as the erosion of truth and the challenges in verifying the authenticity of online content. Van der Sloot also discusses the legal challenges posed by synthetic technologies, including issues related to privacy, data protection, and intellectual property rights. Additionally, he touches on the future of work and employment in the context of automation, as well as the potential need for a universal basic income. The episode concludes with a discussion on the global regulatory framework for managing synthetic technologies, highlighting the differences in regulatory approaches across different countries and the potential for the EU to lead in AI regulation. Throughout the episode, van der Sloot provides insightful perspectives on the complex legal and societal implications of synthetic technologies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, legal professionals, and the general public.

• Access the book here:  B. van der Sloot, Regulating the SyntheticSociety: Generative AI, Legal Questions and Societal Challenges, Hart Publishing 2024.

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In this episode of Research Conversations, our host Iris Xu, a PhD researcher in Maastricht's Law and Tech Lab, interviews three guests involved in the CLASSICA project, which aims to validate AI in classifying cancer in real-time surgery. Our guests are Prof. Ronan Cahill, who is the Coordinator of CLASSICA and the Director of the Centre for Precision Surgery, UCD and the Digital Surgery Unit, MMUH, Prof. Sara Gerke, an Assistant Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson Law and Head of the Penn State Dickinson Law Study, and Prof. Mindy Nunez Duffourc, an Assistant Professor of Private Law, a member of the Maastricht Law and Tech Lab and Member of Penn State’s CLASSICA legal research team. They discuss the importance of the project in helping surgeons make better decisions during operations, particularly in cases where it is difficult to determine if a polyp is cancerous or benign. The CLASSICA tool uses AI technology to analyze tissue perfusion patterns and provide accurate information to surgeons. The guests also touch on the legal and ethical challenges of implementing AI in healthcare, including issues of regulation and liability. The project is currently in the clinical trial phase, with patients being recruited in major cancer centers in Europe. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes and integrate the technology into surgical practice. We encourage our listeners to follow the project on the CLASSICA website and social media channels, which are provided below!

Referenced Publications (all open access):

• The proposed EU Directives for AI liability leave worrying gaps likely to impact medical AI | npj Digital Medicine (nature.com)
• Ethical perspectives on surgical video recording for patients, surgeons and society: systematic review | BJS Open | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
• CLASSICA: Validating artificial intelligence in classifying cancer in real time during surgery - Moynihan - Colorectal Disease - Wiley Online Library

The CLASSICA Project Information

• Project Description: Validating AI in classifying cancer in real-time surgery
• Website: https://classicaproject.eu

Funding Statement: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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In this episode, join host Mindy Duffourc, an Assistant Professor of Private Law and a member of the Law and Tech Lab, and the two guests Dr. Aurelia Tamò-Larrieux, an Assistant Professor for Privacy, Security, and Computational Law at Maastricht University, and Dr. Clement Guitton, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the University of St. Gallen, in a riveting discussion unpacking the forefront of Pervasive Computational Law. Delving into their insightful paper, they navigate the complexities of automating legal processes, debating open-textured terms, and outlining responsible development guidelines for AI in law. This episode offers a gripping exploration of interdisciplinary approaches, ethical implications, and the crucial need for public discourse in shaping the future of computational law. Tune in for a captivating dialogue at the intersection of law and technology.

• Guitton, C., Tamo - Larrieux, A., Mayer, S., Ashley, K., Grabmaier, M., Sartor, G., Sartor, G., & van Dijck, G. (2023). Pervasive Computational Law. Ieee Pervasive Computing, 22(3), 48-51. https://doi.org/10.1109/MPRV.2023.3254959
• Tamo - Larrieux, A., Guitton, C., & Mayer, S. (2023). Mapping the Issues of Automated Legal Systems: Why Worry About Automatically Processable Regulation? Artificial Intelligence and Law, 31(3), 571-599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10506-022-09323-w

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