The Trans-European Dialogue - TED 2024 Conference recently concluded with resounding success, bringing together a diverse array of leading experts, scholars, and professionals to delve into the complexities of "Digital Governance in the Age of AI: Evolving Policies, Regulations, and Practices." Held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 7-8 March 2024, the event provided a platform for rigorous discussions, insightful presentations, and thought-provoking debates on the intersection of technology and governance.
Under the auspices of the NISPAcee and EGPA, Presidents Prof Eka Akobia and Prof Jean-Michel Eymeri-Douzans respectively, TED 2024 commenced with stimulating keynote presentations by experts in digital governance and artificial intelligence. Prof William Webster initiated the dialogue with a captivating presentation titled "The Governance of AI and Big Data: Promises and Pitfalls for Public Policy and Services," sparking engaging discussions among participants.
Prof Sabine Kuhlmann shed light on the DIGILOG research project, examining the dynamics and effects of digital transformation at the local government level in Europe. Meanwhile, Ass Prof Dr Marius Bertolucci raised crucial concerns regarding the challenges and risks associated with AI implementation, prompting an insightful exchange of ideas on the implications and societal impacts of algorithmic governance.
Throughout the conference, sessions were dedicated to exploring various dimensions of AI regulation and its implications for digital governance. Professor Mihael Mudrić's keynote speech on "AI regulation in the EU: Taming the Tiger Through Dialogues and Trilogues" spurred insightful debates on regulatory frameworks and the balance between risk-based protection and real-world impact emphasis.
The event also featured discussions led by distinguished academics such as Prof Giovanni Fattore, Prof Anamarija Musa, Prof Joep Crompvoets, and others, who offered valuable insights into the roles of governments in the AI society. From regulators to enablers, leaders, and users, the multifaceted responsibilities of governments in shaping AI integration were thoroughly examined.
Dean Prof Calin Hintea facilitated a comprehensive wrap-up session, emphasizing the necessity of interdisciplinary research in shaping the future of AI and policy-making processes. Furthermore, presentations on "Agile Government: Innovation and Flexibility in Digital Public Sector" underscored the imperative of adaptability and innovation in navigating the evolving landscape of digital governance.
In closing, the Presidents of NISPAcee and EGPA expressed their views on the symbiotic relationship between traditional public administration theories and the latest advancements in AI and digital governance, highlighting the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration in driving progress.
TED 2024 stands as a testament to the importance of collective knowledge and collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. As technology and other cutting-edge, pressing themes continues to reshape the landscape of governance, the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) along with its entities and partner institutions foster debates and advancements through scientific events, publications, and partnerships, fulfilling our mission of improving public governance research, education, and practice.
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About TED
The Trans-European Dialogues (TED) are series of scholarly conferences on timely topics of public administration, jointly organised by the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) and the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee).
The event is high-level conference bringing together senior public administration experts – academics and practitioners from different regions – with the aim to discuss current research results and practices as well as future research opportunities. The emphasis of the conference is on broad debate among all invited participants based on their research based and practical experience.
In 2024, TED2024 was hosted and organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Croatia in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Academic Studies of the University of Zagreb and the Inter-University Centre in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
