On May 26, 2024, the "International Academic Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Private Law Regulation" was successfully held at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.Co-hosted by Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Durham University, the symposium was organized by ZUEL-SUR School of Law and Economics (LES). More than 20 experts and scholars from renowned domestic and international universities such as Durham University, the University of Edinburgh, Augsburg University in Germany, the University of Osnabrück in Germany, Radboud University in the Netherlands, City University of Hong Kong, Beihang University, and Guangdong University of Finance and Economics attended the conference. The opening ceremony was chaired by Li Jun, Vice Dean of the School of Law at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.
The ZUEL vice President Prof. Xu Diyu delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the university for the convening of this symposium and warmly welcomed the guests attending the event. He pointed out the significance of the symposium coinciding with the United Nations' adoption of the first global resolution on artificial intelligence, the formal approval of the "Artificial Intelligence Act" by the European Council, and China's promulgation of the "Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" and inclusion of the "Artificial Intelligence Law Draft" in the annual legislative work plan of the State Council. He emphasized that the convening of this international academic symposium holds great practical and academic significance. Through this conference, experts and scholars can fully exchange ideas, clash viewpoints, and converge consensus, providing intellectual support for global governance of artificial intelligence.
Professor Chen Lei, the Chair Professor of "International Arbitration and Chinese Law" at Durham University's Law School, delivered a speech on behalf of Durham University. He pointed out that the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology poses challenges to existing legal frameworks and legal practices, profoundly affecting legal education as well. The "Artificial Intelligence Act" formulated by the European Council serves as a sample and reference for global artificial intelligence legislation. He expressed the hope that this conference would deepen the exchange of ideas and consensus formation among Chinese and European scholars in the intersection of artificial intelligence and private law regulation.
The conference focused primarily on the theme of "Artificial Intelligence and Private Law Regulation," engaging in comprehensive and in-depth discussions on topics such as "Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Property Law," "Artificial Intelligence and Civil Liability," "Artificial Intelligence and Legal Regulation," "Artificial Intelligence and Legal Education," and "Artificial Intelligence Legislation in China."
After the discussions on various topics concluded, Professor Huang Meiling, Dean of the School of Law and Economics at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, delivered a summary. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished guests for their high-level academic contributions during the conference. She pointed out that the experts and scholars shared the latest research findings and practical experiences in the field of artificial intelligence, which will help promote the formation of global legal consensus and provide legal safeguards for the development of artificial intelligence. She looks forward to further cooperation and development between the two universities and the attendees, aiming to advance global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
After their gatherings, all the attending experts gave high praise to the conference.Prof. Hans Schulte-Nölke, director of the European Legal Studies Institute neatly encapsulated the conference below:
The open discussion was also particularly fruitful, resulting in a spontaneous and productive exchange ofopinions(and not just a reeling off of pre-stagedstatements).The perfectly organised conference was a joint projectinitiated and largely supported by Lei CHEN, fromDurham University, also represented by Dean Volker Röben, and the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law(ZUEL), represented by Dean Meiling HUANG, who was also saying goodbye to her current position because she is taking up a position at UNlDROlT in Rome.
