Law & Ethics in Emerging Technologies (LAETec)

This research stream develops legal and ethical frameworks for rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and autonomous systems. It bridges the gap between technical innovation and societal responsibility by embedding ethics directly into the design and deployment of technology.

Drawing on interdisciplinary insights, multi-cultural approaches, and global collaborations, the project integrates legal doctrine, human rights principles, and philosophical insights to guide responsible innovation.

The LAETec team is also actively developing novel, practical teaching curricula that equip technically oriented students and scientists with tools to anticipate and address ethical challenges early in the innovation life-cycle.

LAETec currently has two focus areas:

AI for Earth Observation

AI-driven Earth observation technologies offer transformative potential for monitoring environmental and societal change. However, they also introduce complex legal and ethical risks, including issues related to surveillance, stigma, bias, and (lack of) accountability. This research develops frameworks that help identify and mitigate these risks, aligning innovation with ethical and regulatory standards such as those the EU AI Act.

Real-world impact: The EET Project equips policymakers, engineers, and organizations with tools to develop and regulate technologies that are both innovative and ethically responsible. Our flagship research under this theme has led to the development of the Intention-Knowledge-Action (IKA) framework. Know more about this framework from our Publications pages.

Large Language Models and the Law

The rapid adoption of large language models raises pressing legal and ethical concerns, from bias and misinformation to emotional manipulation and intellectual property challenges. This work focuses on developing adaptive regulatory frameworks, particularly for applications involving young users and AI companions, ensuring that innovation remains aligned with societal values.

Together, these efforts contribute to shaping global conversations on responsible technology governance and sustainable innovation.