Protecting human rights: approaches to migration and artificial intelligence - ENO Conference 2023

Event

09 Nov 2023 14:30 - 18:00

Video

Host: European Ombudsman

Location: Brussels, Belgium

European Parliament – Spaak building – Room WP 01A002

Migration to Europe has challenged policy makers and raised questions about whether governments are doing enough to protect people’s fundamental rights. At the same time, Ombudsmen are frequently called upon to investigate allegations of human rights abuses against migrants and to examine whether proper safeguards have been put in place. Organised by European Ombudswoman Emily O’Reilly, this conference will first discuss how the EU is dealing with migration. The session will start with a lecture by Sally Hayden, author of My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route.

The second part of the conference will focus on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on decision-making and on the way public administrations interact with citizens. Michael O’Flaherty, the Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, will deliver the opening speech, which will be followed by a discussion on the benefits and potential drawbacks of AI use in public administrations.

The European Network of Ombudsmen (ENO) was established in 1996 and connects the European Ombudsman, national and regional ombudsmen, and the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions. It is coordinated by the European Ombudsman Office.

Agenda

13.30-14.30 Registration and welcome coffee

14.30 - 14.35 Introductory statement

Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudswoman

Session 1: Migration and fundamental rights

14.35 - 14.55 Lecture

Sally Hayden, author of My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route and an Africa correspondent for the Irish Times

14.55 - 16.00 Panel debate

Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudswoman
Tineke Strik, Member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, European Parliament
Monique Pariat, Director-General, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission
Andreas Pottakis, Greek Ombudsman
Reinier van Zutphen, Dutch Ombudsman

Session 2: Lessons from public administrations using AI

16.30 - 16.40 Introductory speech

Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights

16.40 - 17.55 Panel debate

Karen Melchior, Rapporteur on Digitalisation and Administrative Law, European Parliament
Max Strotmann, Responsible for AI and digital transformation portfolios, Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration
Raluca Peica, Director-General, Directorate-General for Information, European Court of Justice
Niels Fenger, Danish Ombudsman
Ülle Madise, Estonian Chancellor of Justice

17.55 - 18.00 Concluding remarks