FED-Lex: The Future of European Digital Legislation-Shaping Policies for Innovation and Protection

April 3-4, 2025

Venue: University of Szeged, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, ground floor Aula

(6722 Szeged, Tisza Lajos krt. 54.)

Synopsis

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Europe has emerged as a leader in navigating the complex intersection of technological innovation and regulatory oversight. The dynamic challenges and opportunities posed by cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity issues, have introduced new dimensions to legislation. In the context of the European Union's digital policy, there is an increasing need to understand how these technologies are reshaping industries, governance, and society. It is equally crucial to examine how legislative frameworks can adapt to ensure that innovation flourishes while upholding ethical standards and protecting individual rights. The EU's distinctive position as a global regulatory leader is noteworthy, from two aspects. On the one hand, these policies have been acknowledged for their attempts to balance economic growth with social responsibility. The EU has established a digital ecosystem that fosters trust, inclusivity, and resilience. However, these policies have also been the subject of criticism, particularly from the tech-based private sector and member states willing to invest in advanced technologies, who have expressed concerns about overregulation. Open communication and collaboration between stakeholders and policymakers, the main idea of this conference, could serve as a foundation for approaching legislation as a tool to foster innovation.

This two-day conference explores the implications of the EU's digital policy, incorporating perspectives from different countries and disciplines. By examining diverse national approaches and their alignment with EU priorities, as presented by experts from EU Member States, the event seeks to uncover pathways for greater international cooperation and harmonization in the digital domain. Through a blend of academic analyses, the other component of the conference also reflects some theoretical and practical aspects. The second day of the conference features student-led presentations, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and providing a platform for early-career researchers to engage with the subject matter. The conference aims to convene stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, as well as researchers, early-career scholars, and a broader public. This timely opportunity empowers stakeholders to formulate actionable strategies that ensure the EU's digital policies are not only future-ready but also reflective of the Union's core values in a rapidly evolving technological era.

Please note: Participation at the conference is free of charge, but registration is compulsory.
Kindly register via the following Google Forms link:

https://forms.gle/h2oXMCFjA9FM6fpW7
The conference language is in English with no interpretation service.

PROGRAM – DAY 1

09.30-10.00 Registration

10.00-10.15 Opening

Prof. Dr. Tamás Antal, Vice Dean for Academic and General Affairs, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

Dr. habil Anikó Szalai, Head of Institute, Associate Professor, DigiDem Research Group Leader, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

SESSION I

Chair: Dr. Gizem Gültekin Várkonyi

Senior Lecturer, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

10.15-10.25 The EU model between rules and innovation: The case of cybersecurity

Prof. Maurizio Mensi, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Professor at the Italian National School of Administration

10.25-10.35 Quantum technology: Threats and opportunities to cybersecurity

Roman Bieda, Attorney at Law, Lecturer, Kozminsky University, Poland

10.35-10.45 Modern challenges brought by technology to classical areas of international law

Dr. habil. Anikó Szalai, Head of Institute, Associate Professor, Digitalization and Democratization Research Group Leader, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

10.45-10.55 Are Human Rights Technology-neutral?

Prof. Dr. Lórant Csink, Head of Institute, Professor, Institute of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

10.55-11.25 Q&A

11.25-11.40 Coffee Break

11.40-11.50 Opting-out or Opting-in: Non-traditional Authorship, Copyright & AI Regulation

Dr. Abigail Rekas, Lecturer, University of Galway, Ireland

11.40-11.50 The AI Act: Legal Impact and the Choice Between Survival and Growth for Businesses

Dr. Neringa Gaubienė, Senior Lecturer, University of Vilnius, Lithuania

11.50-12.00 E-Commerce and the EU: the WTO perspective

Dr. Gábor Hajdú, Senior Lecturer, Law and Competitiveness Research Group Vice Leader, Department of Private International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

12.00-12.30 Q&A and closing Session I

12.30-13.30 Lunch break

SESSION II

Chair: Dr. Gábor Hajdú

Senior Lecturer, Law and Competitiveness Research Group Vice Leader, Department of Private International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

13.30-13.40 The regulatory stress points between technological evolution and the food industry

Dr. Péter Hegyes, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Business Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

13.40-13.50 EU FDI Screening: Keeping the forge ablaze while handpicking the blacksmiths

Dr. Bálint Kovács, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Private International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

13.50-14.00 EU digital policy and private law

Dr. Kitti Bakos-Kovács, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Civilistic Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

14.00-14.30 Q&A

14.30-14.50 Coffee Break

14.50-15.00 The EU Digital Identity Wallet & the UK: time to step in line?

Dr. Samantha Cheesman, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Comparative Law and Legal Theory, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

15.00-15.10 Regulating freedom of expression in Facebook posts in the context of socio-cultural issues

Dr. Réka Szaniszló, Senior Lecturer, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

15.10-15.20 From Brussels to Kyiv (and Beyond): understanding the DSA’s reach in regulating platforms across EU candidate countries

Pavlo Burdiak, Media Analyst at Center for Democracy and Rule of Law, Ph.D Researcher at the Doctoral School of Law, University of Szeged

15.20-15.35 AI and Constitutional Values: Can AI Literacy Safeguard Democracy and Freedom?

Dr. Gizem Gültekin-Varkonyi and Dr. Norbert Tribl

Senior Lecturers, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

15.35-16.00 Q&A and closing day 1

PROGRAM – DAY 2

Chair: Dr. Norbert Tribl

Senior Lecturer, International and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged

10.00-11.50 Students’ presentations and committee evaluations (TBA)

11.50-12.00 Evaluation and closing the conference

Student Call for Application

	University of Szeged Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, Humanities and Social Sciences Cluster ICT and Societal Challenges Competence Centre Faculty of Law and Political Sciences Digitalization and Democracy Research Group Law and Competitiveness Research Group