Roundtable at Universidad Carlos III: Artificial Intelligence, Public Freedoms, and Democracy

On Wednesday, October 15, Universidad Carlos III in Madrid hosted a roundtable titled “The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Public Freedoms and Democratic Processes”, bringing together experts from various disciplines to reflect on the ethical, legal, and political implications of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technologies.

Among the most notable contributions, Dr. Roser Martínez, Director of the Manuel Ballbé Chair and Spanish delegate of the Stop Killer Robots (SKR) Campaign, delivered a compelling presentation titled “The Danger of Using Lethal Autonomous Weapons as Personal Defense Tools.” Her talk sparked significant interest among attendees and led to a lively debate on Spain’s potential role in revising international treaties that regulate the use of autonomous weapon systems in military contexts.

Dr. Alfonso Calvo, Professor of Commercial Law, offered a critical reflection on the emerging scenario, arguing that the integration of these technologies into defense systems is inevitable. He emphasized the need for proactive regulation that goes beyond prohibition and includes mechanisms for meaningful human oversight and control.

The roundtable also featured contributions from professors Alberto Iglesias (CUNEF), Mónica Arenas (University of Alcalá), and Leonardo Werner (PA), under the moderation of Antonio Pele, representative of the Pascual Madoz Institute. The participants addressed key issues such as algorithmic transparency, personal data protection, the impact of AI on civic participation, and the urgent need to effectively implement the Charter of Digital Rights.

From the Manuel Ballbé Chair, we celebrate initiatives like this that foster interdisciplinary dialogue and critical thinking around emerging technologies, especially regarding their impact on fundamental rights and human security.