About this Research Topic
Nearly three decades have passed since Joel Reidenberg first acknowledged the inherent regulatory role played by information technologies in our world. By demonstrating that the design of networked systems establishes rules that rival traditional forms of regulation—what he termed “Lex Informatica”—he captured a fundamental aspect of the then-emerging information society laying the groundwork for exploring an entirely new dimension of normativity.
Years later, artificial intelligence has permanently become part of the landscape Reidenberg envisioned in his work. AI is deeply embedded in workflows, applications, and procedures, where its capabilities to predict, identify patterns, “reason”, and learn, significantly impact our interests and rights.
AI, on the other hand, underpins not only ubiquitous algorithmic management systems but also sophisticated applications (civil, medical, military) of robotics, where the embodiment of AI in physical artefacts growingly capable of autonomously acquiring knowledge and skills used to operate in target real applications is going to enormously expand the power that machines have to influence our lives.
In such a scenario, momentous questions emerge as soon as we start viewing AI not merely as an object but also as an active subject of regulation. The breadth and variety of the intersections between artificial intelligence and the “techno-regulation” paradigm - the intentional influencing of individuals' behaviour by building norms into technological devices - calls indeed for a reflection on how AI can be used as a regulatory tool. The possibilities are manifold. “Machine intelligence” can implement (or support the implementation of) novel forms of regulation in a variety of ways:
• Monitoring and assessing human behaviours touching upon legally relevant interests and consequently implementing new safeguards and forms of enforcement;
• Monitoring, assessing and eventually contrasting the behaviour of other intelligent systems operating in a malicious or illegal way;
• Making (more or less autonomous) administrative or judicial decisions;
• Enabling the creation of novel “regulatory sandboxes” to study the social impact of legal regulations. Think, for instance, of agent-based social simulation and its intersection with complexity science;
• Governing the behaviour of robots that, growingly endowed with open-ended autonomy and increasing capacity to materially intervene on us, are going to be enforcers/enforcers that have to be regulated.
Perspectives and insights from various disciplines must be combined to frame these themes. This non-disciplinary/issue-oriented approach, in line with Frontiers’ cross-listing opportunity, can foster a better understanding of the regulatory use of artificial intelligence and enhance our grasp of its interconnections. We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address the following topics variously connected to artificial intelligence in all its forms:
Technical Aspects
Novel AI algorithms and methods for regulatory applications, including policy modelling, compliance monitoring, and impact assessment, addressing challenges of explainability, bias mitigation, and robustness.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Ethical frameworks for AI regulation and AI-assisted policymaking, legal implications of autonomous decision-making, and strategies for ensuring fairness and accountability throughout the regulatory process.
Social and Economic
Impact Analysis of the potential benefits and risks of AI-powered regulation and AI-assisted policymaking, including their impact on employment, economic growth, social inequality, and democratic processes.
Governance and Policy
Design of effective regulatory frameworks for AI, including standards, certification mechanisms, public engagement strategies, and mechanisms for oversight and accountability of AI-powered regulatory tools.
Philosophical Implications
Exploration of the philosophical questions raised by the use of AI in regulatory contexts, such as the nature of agency, autonomy, responsibility, and the evolving relationship between law, technology, and society.
Case Studies
Real-world examples of AI-powered regulation and AI-assisted policymaking in different domains, highlighting successes, failures, and lessons learned.
We encourage authors to connect the various aspects mentioned above and integrate perspectives from different disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of this Research Topic.
Years later, artificial intelligence has permanently become part of the landscape Reidenberg envisioned in his work. AI is deeply embedded in workflows, applications, and procedures, where its capabilities to predict, identify patterns, “reason”, and learn, significantly impact our interests and rights.
AI, on the other hand, underpins not only ubiquitous algorithmic management systems but also sophisticated applications (civil, medical, military) of robotics, where the embodiment of AI in physical artefacts growingly capable of autonomously acquiring knowledge and skills used to operate in target real applications is going to enormously expand the power that machines have to influence our lives.
In such a scenario, momentous questions emerge as soon as we start viewing AI not merely as an object but also as an active subject of regulation. The breadth and variety of the intersections between artificial intelligence and the “techno-regulation” paradigm - the intentional influencing of individuals' behaviour by building norms into technological devices - calls indeed for a reflection on how AI can be used as a regulatory tool. The possibilities are manifold. “Machine intelligence” can implement (or support the implementation of) novel forms of regulation in a variety of ways:
• Monitoring and assessing human behaviours touching upon legally relevant interests and consequently implementing new safeguards and forms of enforcement;
• Monitoring, assessing and eventually contrasting the behaviour of other intelligent systems operating in a malicious or illegal way;
• Making (more or less autonomous) administrative or judicial decisions;
• Enabling the creation of novel “regulatory sandboxes” to study the social impact of legal regulations. Think, for instance, of agent-based social simulation and its intersection with complexity science;
• Governing the behaviour of robots that, growingly endowed with open-ended autonomy and increasing capacity to materially intervene on us, are going to be enforcers/enforcers that have to be regulated.
Perspectives and insights from various disciplines must be combined to frame these themes. This non-disciplinary/issue-oriented approach, in line with Frontiers’ cross-listing opportunity, can foster a better understanding of the regulatory use of artificial intelligence and enhance our grasp of its interconnections. We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address the following topics variously connected to artificial intelligence in all its forms:
Technical Aspects
Novel AI algorithms and methods for regulatory applications, including policy modelling, compliance monitoring, and impact assessment, addressing challenges of explainability, bias mitigation, and robustness.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Ethical frameworks for AI regulation and AI-assisted policymaking, legal implications of autonomous decision-making, and strategies for ensuring fairness and accountability throughout the regulatory process.
Social and Economic
Impact Analysis of the potential benefits and risks of AI-powered regulation and AI-assisted policymaking, including their impact on employment, economic growth, social inequality, and democratic processes.
Governance and Policy
Design of effective regulatory frameworks for AI, including standards, certification mechanisms, public engagement strategies, and mechanisms for oversight and accountability of AI-powered regulatory tools.
Philosophical Implications
Exploration of the philosophical questions raised by the use of AI in regulatory contexts, such as the nature of agency, autonomy, responsibility, and the evolving relationship between law, technology, and society.
Case Studies
Real-world examples of AI-powered regulation and AI-assisted policymaking in different domains, highlighting successes, failures, and lessons learned.
We encourage authors to connect the various aspects mentioned above and integrate perspectives from different disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of this Research Topic.
Keywords: Technoregulation, Normativity and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence, AI Ethics, Robotics, AI-enhanced regulatory sandbox
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
