Reclaiming our Digital Future
The internet, smartphones and the recent emergence of Generative AI are all examples of disruptive technologies. They often begin as niche (luxury)products or services but gradually evolve into essential components of our infrastructure. Hereby, significantly influencing our personal lives and society. Due to (1) the recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence, (2) our growing reliance on technology and its governance challenges, and (3) the realisation that commercial interests often diverge from the public good, the necessity to incorporate public values into our digital infrastructure is more urgent than ever. Therefore, to reclaim our agency, this evening will be about fostering a dialogue about our digital future. We will discuss why it is necessary to integrate public values into our digital infrastructure, reflect on why and which public values are deemed important, and provide a hopeful perspective by zooming in on some tangible initiatives that make the path forward more concrete. Join us for an inspiring evening where we aim to open the conversation about shaping our digital future.
Together with Kristina Irion Associate Professor at the Institute for Information Law (IViR) at the University of Amsterdam. Lucie Chateau Assistant Professor of Screen Media at Utrecht University and lead of Diversifying Creative AI at the Inclusive AI Lab Geert-Jan Bogaerts Initiator of Public Spaces and head of Digital Media at the VPRO Zuzanna Warso Director of Research at Open FutureAbout the speakers
Kristina Irion is an associate professor at the Institute for Information Law (IViR) at the University of Amsterdam. In her research Dr. Irion focuses on EU digital and data law in relation to the governance of transnational digital technologies and data flows. She has published widely on the interface between EU digital and data regulation and digital trade law. Another prominent research theme is the transformational impact of cloud computing on data sovereignty and individual rights. More recently, her research has embarked on the analysis of EU law and policy of data centres’ sustainability. She frequently provides expertise to EU institutions, the Council of Europe, the OECD, national governments as well as civil society organizations.
Lucie Chateau is an Assistant Professor in Screen Media at Utrecht University and lead of Diversifying Creative AI at the Inclusive AI Lab. My work incorporates interdisciplinary approaches from a wide range of fields, weaving together philosophical traditions, cultural studies heritage, media studies and contemporary theories on digital capitalism and the digital economy. I am interested in how affect theory and aesthetics can frame current and future digital culture, as well as emerging key topics of media and culture studies such as eco-media, sustainability, inclusivity and the impact of AI.
Geert-Jan Bogaerts is the initiator and chairman of the PublicSpaces coalition, that aims to strengthen the public domain on the internet. Heads the department of Innovation and Digital Media of Dutch public broadcaster VPRO. Responsible for digital development, innovation and distribution strategy. Member of management team. Entrepreneur in his new media consultancy named Raker. Taught at the University of Groningen, consulted on new media strategies, lectured and headed workshops at different media and marketing companies. Journalist and editor with 15+ years of experience in financial reporting and international political and economic affairs at leading Dutch daily de Volkskrant. International experience during long-term stay in the US, North Africa/Middle East, Belgium. Involved in developing new media/internet strategy at de Volkskrant.
Zuzanna Warso is the director of research at Open Future. She has fifteen years of experience in human rights research and advocacy. Since 2019, she has been an independent expert for the European Commission, where she participates in the monitoring of EU-funded research and innovation projects. Zuzanna passed the bar exam in April 2017 and served as the vice-president of the Human Rights Section of the Warsaw Bar Association. She holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Warsaw.
