Research Workshop on AI and Law – Innovative Teaching and Research Format by the Law Faculties of National Taiwan University and University of Hamburg

21 June 2024

From June 3 to 6, 2024, the Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg hosted the final segment of the three-part research workshop "How AI Changes and Challenges Law," featuring a specialized academic conference. This new collaborative format, launched this year by the law faculties of National Taiwan University (NTU) and the University of Hamburg (UHH), provided substantial benefits for both students as well as involved academics and practitioners.

Thematic Focus

The English-language research workshop "How AI Changes and Challenges Law" focused on legal issues surrounding the use and design of artificial intelligence. The subject was examined especially from the perspective of regulation in Europe and Taiwan in general and from the perspective of copyright, data protection and criminal law in particular.. The primary objective was to explore new questions and challenges that AI presents to the legal system while also examining how AI can be harnessed for legal scholarship.

The program commenced in March 2024 at NTU in Taipei, Taiwan. Five master's students from NTU and five law students and doctoral candidates from UHH's Faculty of Law participated in the program.

The ten students experienced a well-organized first part of the research workshop at NTU, which included lectures, workshops, and discussions. In addition to the academic component, the Hamburg students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture and experience Taiwanese hospitality and campus life at NTU. They were accompanied by Prof. Kai Cornelius, the academic director of the program on the Hamburg side.

Following their week-long stay in Taipei, the UHH students returned to Germany. The ten students had formed five international tandems and worked together online on a research question during the second part of the program. After several weeks of virtual collaboration, the Taiwanese students, accompanied by four NTU faculty members, traveled to Hamburg for the third part of the research workshop from June 3 to 6, 2024.

Apart from receiving input on creating academic presentations and speaking at scientific conferences, the students had the chance to present and discuss their research findings. The tandem-authored research papers were submitted just before the Hamburg trip. Both the papers and presentations were graded, and students received credit points (NTU) or a seminar certificate (UHH) for successfully participating in the program.

Conference

An integral part of the Hamburg segment was the English-language conference "How AI Changes and Challenges Law," held on June 5, 2024. Moderated by Prof. Hilde Caroli Casavola (Università degli Studi di Molise) and Prof. Matthias Armgardt (UHH), two high-caliber panels composed of scholars and practitioners addressed critical questions on AI and law.

The first panel, "Comparing AI Regulation – Insights from Taiwan, Germany, and the EU," featured Prof. Christoph Kumpan (Bucerius Law School), Prof. Sieh-Chuen Huang (NTU), Tobias Haar LL.M., MBA (Aleph Alpha), and Dr. Robert Kilian (KI-Bundesverband, CertifAI). The second panel, "Navigating AI Regulation – Insights from Copyright Law, GDPR, and Criminal Law," included Dr. Christian Frank (Taylor Wessing), Dr. Axel von Walter (Graf von Westphalen), Prof. Patrick Chung-Chia Huang (NTU), and Maria Dellagiacoma (Università Bocconi).

Participants of the research workshop and an interested professional audience gained fascinating insights into current legal issues related to AI and the challenges posed by the rising prominence of AI technologies in both national and global contexts.

Supporting Program in Hamburg

In addition to an intensive academic program, participants had the chance to explore the city and University of Hamburg through a diverse supporting program. A tour of the UHH main campus offered new insights even for the local participants. The welcome dinner at a beach club close to the river Elbe, a harbor tour, and a tour of the City Hall allowed all participants to experience Hamburg as an open, maritime, and livable metropolis. A picturesque Alster boat trip for the farewell dinner concluded the program on the final day.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to all participants who made this program a true success. The academic leadership consisted of Prof. Sieh-Chuen Huang, Prof. Patrick Chung-Chia Huang, and Prof. Kai Cornelius. The International Office of NTU Law School and the International Office at UHH's Faculty of Law were crucial in the organizational preparation and contributed actively to the smooth progression at both locations.

Background

The research workshop aligns with the internationalization (Internationalization Strategy 2020-2024) and digitization efforts of UHH's Faculty of Law. The workshop will be held annually, further contributing to the internationalization of the curriculum. It enables students to gain significant international experience and a deep insight into academic work and legal research. This is a worthwhile investment in the future to continuously inspire highly qualified young individuals for academia and to present the University of Hamburg as an attractive research location both nationally and internationally. The project deepens international cooperation among students and staff involved. The research workshop also strengthens the long-standing strategic university partnership between NTU and UHH, expanding it to the field of law.

Group photo of all participants from NTU and UHH together with Dean Prof. Tilman Repgen.