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[Responsible AI] International Law as AI Design Code, Esther Jaromitski

by Daniele Quercia

International Law as AI Design Code: Building AI Systems on Foundations of Global Consensus Esther Jaromitski Join Teams<https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/33598810138348?p=fPMKeGgq6p871svOYD> Format: 35 min talk + 25 min Q&A International law represents humanity's most ambitious attempt at codifying shared values across borders—yet it remains almost entirely absent from AI system design. This talk argues that treaties and customary international law should serve not merely as external constraints on deployed AI, but as foundational design principles from the earliest stages of development. Drawing on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a case study, I examine how AI-powered toys and children's technologies could be fundamentally reimagined if developers treated international human rights frameworks as design specifications rather than compliance afterthoughts. What if Article 3's "best interests of the child" principle became a core consideration in product requirement documents, or Article 12's right to be heard inspired child consultation processes before feature lock? The approach is not imposing public international law obligations on companies—it's about recognising that these treaties represent decades of global deliberation on human flourishing, and that this hard-won consensus is a resource the AI industry is leaving largely untapped. For companies trying to design technology that works for the world, this body of law offers a starting point: the work of defining shared human values has already been done. The Convention on the Rights of a Child, as an example, offers not only substantive protections but also a methodological blueprint to AI development: meaningful stakeholder participation, including children themselves, before design decisions are locked in. These two worlds—international law and AI development—currently operate in near-total isolation. Bridging them offers a path toward AI systems built on foundations of codified global consensus rather than the implicit values of their creators. This talk explores the first steps toward bringing international law closer to technologists—so they can start using it comfortably in their early-stage thinking. Esther Jaromitski is a published novelist, legal scholar, and senior adviser specialising in international law, AI governance, and trust-and-safety enforcement for emerging technologies. Her work focuses on how platforms, AI-driven systems, and critical digital infrastructure can facilitate international crime, and on embedding accountability into global technology systems. She holds degrees from Leiden University College and Queen Mary University of London, where she recently completed her PhD on international criminal liability for social media platforms and algorithmic systems. Her research was funded by the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation. Previously, Esther served as a legal adviser to the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York and conducted research for the United Nations International Law Commission, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, amongst others. She has taught Internet Regulation in the Technology Law Master's at the Queen Mary University of London. Currently, Esther is a Senior Adviser at the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; none of her external work represents the views of the UK Government, as Esther speaks in a personal capacity. Esther is an editor at the Oxford Journal of Technology and Law and the Queen Mary Law Journal. Her work has been published in the Oxford Human Rights Hub, the UNODC Library, and other outlets. Subscribe to future talk announcements: Anyone outside Bell Labs can receive talk announcements by subscribing to the mailing list. To subscribe, send an empty email with the subject line "Subscribe RAI” to daniele.quercia(a)polito.it

Feb. 17, 2026

Call for PhD Students: Trustworthy AI Agents for Human-Centered Social Impact (17 hours)

by Daniele Quercia

A tutti i dottorandi al Politecnico: Abbiamo la fortuna di ospitare Yvonne Rogers<https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qzcYcEAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao> <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qzcYcEAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao> e Fabricio Benevenuto<https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iOnt0iMAAAAJ&hl=en> a maggio. Con ospiti di questo calibro, io il corso ve lo consiglio senza esitazioni. È un tema super attuale e interessa davvero a più discipline… *** PhD students are invited to apply for a PhD-level course (17 hours) on trustworthy, human-centered AI systems, covering social robots, healthcare chatbots, political ad transparency, and misinformation on messaging apps. The course combines lectures, hands-on activities, and critical discussion of ethical and regulatory trade-offs. Who can attend: PhD students. Where: Lab 8. When: May 6-June 5; Lectures: Wednesdays 2pm–6pm. Final test: Friday. Instructors / Speakers: * Yvonne Rogers (University College London): human-centered interaction design; AI and robotic systems. * Fabricio Benevenuto de Souza (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais): transparency, auditing, and misinformation at scale. Program (sessions): May 6: Human–Robot Interaction: what role should social robots play in society? May 13: AI chatbots in healthcare and everyday life: advances, benefits, societal concerns. May 20: Political ad transparency in platforms and elections: advances, limits, auditing/enforcement. May 27: Messaging apps in politics/everyday life: misinformation, privacy, public safety; design & regulatory options. June 5 (3pm–4pm): Final test (Daniele Quercia). PhD Program in Computer and Control Engineering ***

Feb. 16, 2026

128° Nexa Lunch Seminar | 25 febbraio 2026, ore 13.00

by Nexa - Media

Gentilissime, gentilissimi, Vi invitiamo a partecipare al 128° Nexa Lunch Seminar che si terrà mercoledì 25 febbraio, dalle ore 13.00 alle ore 14.00, con un incontro dal titolo: "Social media e obbligo di remunerare i 'creators'” Ospite dell'incontro: Ludovico Bossi (Università Luiss Guido Carli) L'incontro si terrà IN PRESENZA e ONLINE. SEDE FISICA dell'incontro: Aula H1 (edificio D2, 2° piano), Campus Luigi Einaudi (Lungo Dora Siena, 100, Torino<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Campus+Luigi+Einaudi/@45.0734963,7.699408…>) STANZA VIRTUALE dell'incontro: https://didattica.polito.it/VClass/NexaEvent Di seguito maggiori dettagli: https://nexa.polito.it/lunch-128 Cordiali saluti, -- Valeria Bergantino Communication Manager Nexa Center for Internet & Society<https://nexa.polito.it/> DAUIN - Politecnico di Torino Via Pier Carlo Boggio, 65/A - Torino Digital Communication Assistant DAUIN - Politecnico di Torino<https://www.dauin.polito.it/> Corso Castelfidardo 34/D - Torino mail: valeria.bergantino(a)polito.it<mailto:valeria.bergantino@polito.it> tel: 3473443585

Feb. 16, 2026

Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest Unwittingly Reveal the Severity of the U.S. Surveillance State

by Maurizio Borghi

Segnalo questo articolo di Glenn Greenwald su Substack, Feb 13, 2026: Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest Unwittingly Reveal the Severity of the U.S. Surveillance State <https://substack.com/inbox/post/187789911> Il "commercial" di cui si parla all'inizio dell'articolo si può vedere qui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY>)

Feb. 14, 2026

Horizons in Ethics & Emerging Technologies

by Daniele Quercia

FYI Tech Ethics Conference a Torino, 16 Aprile —— * In allegato, Call for Participants con 15 borse per sostenere la partecipazione di studenti magistrali (anche a ciclo unico) e dottorandi. Il contributo è €350 per iscritti/residenti fuori Piemonte oppure €250 per iscritti/residenti in Piemonte (lump-sum a seguito di presenza verificata). * Per partecipare alla conferenza è richiesta anche la registrazione su Eventbrite (posti limitati): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biglietti-horizons-in-ethics-emerging-technolo…

Feb. 13, 2026

[Responsible AI] Is AI Consciousness Imminent? Patrick Butlin, Eleos AI Research

by Daniele Quercia

Join Teams<https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/36276359854751?p=M5nrR3CFGIjs5axIIg> Format: 35 min talk + 25 min Q&A Is AI Consciousness Imminent? I will present some key points in the current debate about AI consciousness. I will discuss whether AI consciousness is possible in principle then present arguments for and against consciousness in LLMs and other AI systems. Patrick Butlin is a philosopher of mind and Senior Research Lead at Eleos AI Research. He received his PhD in philosophy from King's College London and has worked at the Future of Humanity Institute and Global Priorities Institute at the University of Oxford. He is known as the lead author of the 2023 report 'Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Science of Consciousness'. Subscribe to future talk announcements: Anyone outside Bell Labs can receive talk announcements by subscribing to the mailing list. To subscribe, send an empty email with the subject line "Subscribe RAI” to daniele.quercia(a)polito.it

Feb. 12, 2026

NEW DEADLINE: 27 February | SWING – School on Internet Governance 20-24 April 2026 @ Bruges

by Mauro SANTANIELLO

*DEADLINE EXTENDED: SWING School on Internet Governance* 📅 *New Application Deadline: 27 February 2026* We're pleased to announce that the application deadline for SWING School on Internet Governance 2026 has been extended to *27 February 2026*. *About SWING School on Internet Governance 2026:* Join us in Bruges, Belgium (20-24 April 2026), at the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), for an intensive week exploring *Digital Sovereignty, *one of the most pressing issues at the intersection of Internet governance, geopolitics, innovation, and fundamental rights. *Who should apply:* Graduate students, early-career researchers, ICT professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in Internet governance. *What you'll gain:* - Expert-led lectures from internationally renowned scholars; - Interactive lectures on topics including AI, cybersecurity, undersea cables, semiconductors, low earth orbit satellites, and fundamental rights; - Seminars on topics including Digital Sovereignty, EuroStack, the Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty; - Hands-on group work developing policy recommendations; - Networking with peers and multistakeholder discussions. *Key Dates* 27 February 2026 — Application deadline, including fee payment 20–24 April 2026 — SWING 2026 (Bruges, UNU-CRIS) *Core Seminars and Lectures* - Introduction to Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Jamal Shahin* - VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS; *Julia Pohle* - WZB, BSoG, CNRS France; *Sophie Hoogenboom* - UNU-CRIS, VUB; *Chris Mondini *- ICANN. - From Governance to Sovereignty (seminar) with *Jamal Shahin* - VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS; *Mauro Santaniello *- University of Salerno, UNU-CRIS; *Julia Pohle* - WZB, BSoG, CNRS France. - EuroStack: European Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Paul Timmers* - KU Leuven, European University Cyprus; *Niels ten Oever* - University of Amsterdam; more TBA - Digital Sovereignty and Competitiveness with *Orsolya Gulyas* - Brussels School of Governance - The Impact of Digital Sovereignty on the Internet with *Azadeh Akbari *- Center for critical computational studies, Goethe University Frankfurt. - Digital Sovereignty and Fundamental Rights with *Marianne Franklin* - University of Groningen. - Indigenous Data Sovereignty with *Claudia Padovani* - University of Padova. - Digital Sovereignty and Undersea Cables with *Kavé Salamatian* - Polytech Annecy-Chambéry. - Digital Sovereignty and Semiconductors with *Linda Monsees* - Institute of International Relations Prague. - Digital Sovereignty and Artificial Intelligence with *Nicola Palladino* - University of Salerno. - Digital Sovereignty and LEOs (Low Earth Orbit satellites) with *Berna Akçalı Gür* - Queen Mary University of London, UNU-CRIS. - Internet Governance: Conflicts and Cooperation with *Jan Aart Scholte *- Leiden University. - The Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Kseniia Ermoshina* - CNRS, France; *Grace X. Yang* - Freie Universität Berlin; more TBA. *Registration* To register, applicants will be asked to submit: - Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Completed application form (template <https://cris.unu.edu/sites/cris.unu.edu/files/SWING_2026_Registration_Form%…> ) - Copy of a valid ID document (passport or national identity card) - Proof of payment of the participation fee (receipt/confirmation) *Participation Fee and What It Covers* The participation fee is 800,00 € and includes: - Registration costs - Meals provided during the School programme - Social event(s) The participation fee does not include: - Accommodation Although students are required to provide for their own accommodation, SWING has an agreement with a local hotel that is willing to provide a reduced fare for the students of the school. Details will be provided after a successful registration. - Dinners *Scientific Committee* *Co-directors: *Mauro Santaniello (University of Salerno, UNU-CRIS) and Jamal Shahin (VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS). *Scientific Advisory Board: *Andrea Beccalli (ICANN), Dennis Broeders (Leiden University), Edoardo Celeste (Dublin City University), Philippe De Lombaerde (UNU-CRIS), Sophie Hoogenboom (UNU-CRIS, VUB), Robin Mansell (London School of Economics), Francesca Musiani (CNRS), Nicola Palladino (University of Salerno), Dennis Redeker (University of Bremen) and Riccardo Nanni (CNRS). *Organizing Committee: *Sophie Hoogenboom (UNU-CRIS, VUB), Carlos Andres Fonseca Diaz (Ghent University, UNU-CRIS), Armando Antonio Ferrara (University of Salerno), Chiara Spiniello (University of Salerno) and Stephanie Teeuwen (VUB). *More information on the programme, faculty and registration*: https://cris.unu.edu/swing-school-on-internet-governance *For further information about the School and registration, please contact Sophie Hoogenboom at *shoogenboom(a)cris.unu.edu.

Feb. 11, 2026

AGI : A Guy Instead

by maurizio lana

Waymo self-driving cars, powered by AGI — A Guy Instead https://pivot-to-ai.com/2026/02/09/waymo-self-driving-cars-powered-by-agi-a… oltre all'interesse per l'articolo (da leggere, perché ci sono sviluppi dopo il 2018), mi pare un bel modo di sciogliere l'acronimo - AGI a Guy Instead Maurizio ------------------------------------------------------------------------ e mentre le stagioni vanno e vengono, incontro foglie e petali che svengono e mi chiedo spalancando la finestra quale vita può competere con questa. vad vuc, petali e föi ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maurizio Lana

Feb. 11, 2026

Re: [nexa] Nuovo articolo, The imaginary patient. Fantastic health data and where to find them

by antonio

> <https://btfp.sp.unipi.it/en/2026/01/the-imaginary-patient/> Non è un articolo, è il capitolo di un libro ;) Non voglio fare come i tanti che ... "mi fai il riassunto in italiano di questo testo?" Lo leggerò, un po' alla volta, perché contiene tante, tante cose interessanti. A comunciare dall'incipit, dalle "previsioni" degli "esperti". Ho ancora da qualche parte qualche rivista Focus degli anni Novanta, una in particolare dedicata alla futurologia, come saremo e cosa potremo fare nel ... 2020 (sic!). Non ne hanno azzeccata una, secondo i futurologi dell'epoca avremmo avuto ognuno la nostra "macchina volante", le gite l'avremmo fatte negli abissi degli oceani, lavorato poche ore al giorno e vissuto in buona salute fino a 120 anni. Hai giustamente scritto di "assenza". Il ragionamento abduttivo non si basa solo sulla presenza di fatti e prove, ma anche sulla loro assenza. Il campione di scacchi che batte(va) tranquillamente una macchina, lo poteva fare grazie all'assenza. All'assenza, nel suo cervello, di milioni di mosse assolutamente inutili. Cose che una macchina non può e non potrà mai fare. Avrà necessariamente bisogno di portarsi dietro miliardi di dati spazzatura. A.

Feb. 11, 2026

Re: [nexa] Verso un’austerity dei diritti digitali (e non solo)

by antonio

> https://centroriformastato.it/verso-unausterity-dei-diritti-digitali-e-non-… A questo si aggiunge (sempre per semplificare la vita ai cittadini europei, mica per altro) che dal 2026 le disposizioni, di cui al Regolamento (UE) 2024/1183 eIDAS2, cominceranno ad avere effetti. Molti ordini professionali ed enti dello Stato sono già in allarme, i propri aderenti ed impiegati possono infatti prepararsi a buttare nel cestino le proprie smartcard di firma digitale, perché non sarà più possibile rinnovarle (v. es. [1]). Occorrerà un dispositivo nuovo, ma perché altra plastica, altri chip, non abbiamo i nostri bellissimi e fiammanti telefonini certificati Google/Apple? Una supersicura APP e vai ... Tutt'al più certificati in HSM, software, no chiusi, sigillati che non ti permettono di fare nulla se non sei connesso ad un server. E' un mondo che finisce. La firma digitale, ed io me lo ricordo bene quel periodo, era partita tutta open source, interoperabile, trasparente, rispettosa della privacy, con i dati che rimanevano sempre e soltanto sul tuo PC. Passando ad altro ma sempre tema "odio sempre di più lo smartphone". Ieri vedevo in ufficio gente alle prese (più di altre volte) con il proprio smartphone. Ho chiesto, mi hanno risposto che dovevano necessariamente registrarsi, multipli fattori di autenticazione a gogo, per usufruire dei "nuovi" buoni pasto. Non servirà più la tessera ma sarà indispensabile l'APP. Ma io ho un Ubuntu Phone (non è vero, era per ridere), possono usarlo al supermercato? A. [1] https://www.ordineavvocatimilano.it/it/news/aggiornamento-regole-eidas2-e-r…

Feb. 11, 2026