TeamID Breakfast Lecture on AI, Gender and Algorithmic Discrimination from a European Law Perspective

by Katarzyna Barud

The Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law finished their TeamID Lunch/Breakfast Lecture Series of 2024 on 3 December 2024. The aim of the Lunch / Breakfast Lecture Series is to increase the exchange between the Department, academic staff and broader audience including e.g. law students with researchers both from our faculty as well as from other disciplines in a convivial setting.

Our last guest lecturer of the lecture series this year was Mr. Fabian Lütz, a PhD candidate at the University of Lausanne and a former Legal Officer of the European Commission (DG Justice), currently associated with EQUINET – European Network of Equality Bodies in the framework of the Project Equality-proofing AI systems: “Equality by Design, Deliberation and Oversight”. During his presentation, Mr. Lütz shed light on the topics concerning the regulation of artificial intelligence (“AI”), gender equality and non-discrimination from a European Law and international law perspective.

Mr. Lütz's lecture on gender biases, algorithmic discrimination, and the regulatory responses within Europe offered an insightful and comprehensive exploration of a critical topic. The event effectively bridged technical and policy considerations, providing a valuable perspective on the integration of gender equality and fundamental rights into emerging AI regulations.

One of the outstanding aspects of the lecture was Mr. Lütz's clear and structured approach to unpacking the complexities of the AI Act and the Framework Convention on AI of the Council of Europe. He began with an engaging overview of how gender biases are manifest in AI systems and the challenges posed by algorithmic discrimination. His comparison of Europe’s strategies and ongoing developments at the United Nations level added a global dimension, highlighting both the leadership role of European frameworks and areas for further international collaboration.

A particularly compelling section of the lecture was the journey of incorporating gender equality into the AI Act. Mr. Lütz adeptly traced how fundamental rights and gender equality considerations evolved within the legislative process leading up to the AI Act. He discussed both the advantages and shortcomings of the regulation, emphasizing how technical measures like bias audits and fundamental rights impact assessments have been proposed to mitigate risks. His analysis of high-risk AI systems and their regulatory requirements was detailed and thought-provoking, shedding light on the practical implications for stakeholders.

Mr. Lütz raised critical questions about whether the current mechanisms, including the roles of the AI Office and its collaboration with national and European bodies, are robust enough to address issues of gender equality effectively. His observations on the need for more precise cooperation frameworks and resources for enforcement resonated as an important call to action.

Our guest lecturer translated dense legal and technical topics into accessible insights. Attendees, whether well-versed in AI policy or new to the subject, were able to follow his argumentation thanks to his clear explanations and use of real-world examples. His discussion on future directions—pointing to the importance of refining tools such as technical standardisation and bias audits—was forward-thinking and actionable.

The lecture was a well-rounded and enlightening examination of how AI regulations intersect with gender equality and non-discrimination law, and it was an invaluable resource, sparking important conversations about the future of AI governance.

The next edition of the TeamID Lecture Series also promises to be exciting and intriguing and will once again provide a platform for exchange on current and relevant topics in a comfortable setting among the researchers and students of the University of Vienna.

Please stay tuned for more information on the events planned for 2025!