The European AI Alliance
The European AI Alliance is a multi-stakeholder forum for engaging in a broad and open discussion of all aspects of AI development and its impact on the economy and society. It is steered by the High-Level Expert Group on AI (AI HLEG), which consists of 52 experts who have been selected by the Commission for this task. The AI HLEG will focus on two main deliverables, for which input from the members of the European AI Alliance will be sought:
(1) It will prepare draft AI ethics guidelines, which will offer guidance on how to implement ethical principles when developing and deploying AI, building on the work of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights; and
(2) It will make mid- and long-term policy recommendations on AI-related challenges and opportunities, which will feed into the policy development process, the legislative evaluation process and the development of a next-generation digital strategy.
Further to its research activities, in 2018 LIBRe Foundation initiated and developed а multidisciplinary course that aims to explore the societal implications of the development and use of responsible AI and to offer practical solutions towards overcoming the ethical, legal, social and economic challenges. 'Responsible AI: Ethical, Legal, Social and Economic (ELSE) Aspects' is the first and only Bulgarian academic course pondering the legal and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence systems. It was initially designed for the purposes fo Artificial Intelligence Master Programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University, but is currently offered as an elective course for several other programmes at the same faculty.
LIBRe Foundation joined the Allience in 2019.
Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT)
Since September 2017 LIBRe Foundation is an associated member of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT). We will seek common grounds and an open dialogue on topics such as: development of a cost-oriented technology market; organization of joint initiatives for enhancing citizens' digital competence; raising the level of professionalism and establishing loyal partnership relations on the Bulgarian ICT market; assisting the state authorities in the process of development of the ICT and ICT-related legislation and policy documents and effectively applying the control on their implementation; and development and improvement of the Bulgarian educational system in the fields of ICT and ICT Law.
The partnership with BAIT has naturally continued LIBRe Foundation's consistent efforts to develop the ICT market through expert implementation of technology laws in their diversity and horizontality, and the organization's initiative to advise small and medium-sized companies on topics, such as: development of IT systems and applications, privacy issues, intellectual property, public procurement, etc.
As a member of BAIT, LIBRe Foundation is actively working on a number of issues in the field of ICT Law on a European scale. Since January 2018, LIBRe team members have been participating in two of the DIGITAL EUROPE working groups. They are providing statements and expert advices in the following areas:
Digital Transformation WG: data ownership, access to and reuse of data, and Internet of Things;
Privacy and Security WG: personal data protection, international data flows, cyber security, law enforcement access to data.
In February 2018, BAIT formed a Working Group on Industry 4.0, which aims at:
active participation in EU policies in the field of Industry 4.0;
provision of experts and/or expert advice to government institutions working towards adopting the national policy on Industry 4.0;
coordination of joint activities with other organizations working in the field of Industry 4.0, and participation in topic-related events;
exchange of best practices and knowledge in digital manufacturing,
promoting existing standards for Industry 4.0 implementation;
developing demonstration (pilot) projects for Industry 4.0; and
networking with similar expert groups on EU level.
Industry 4.0 WG is focusing on the following priority technologies: Industrial Internet Of Things (IIoT), Digital Manufacturing, Industrial Clouds, Robots аnd Authonomous Vehicles, etc. LIBRe Foundation is part of the Industry 4.0 WG with two of its key experts, being the only organization with legal expertise on the implementation of these technologies.
European Digital Rights (EDRi)
Since the begining of 2018 LIBRe Foundation supports European Digital Rights (EDRi) on national level by providing translations, information, etc. related to the activities and thematic campaigns of the organization.
EDRi is an association of civil and human rights organisations from across Europe that defends rights and freedoms in the digital environment. EDRi’s key priorities for the next years are privacy, surveillance, net neutrality and copyright reform.
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Representatives of LIBRe Foundation Team are members of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) - the world’s largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community.
The association provides resources and training to specialists in successful data management and the associated risks management.
Privacy and Data Protection are key part of LIBRe Foundation’s Applied Research. Alongside the consultations provided by our experts to SMEs and NGOs, we also initiate activities for general public awareness, such as the series of short animated videos on privacy we published in the beginning of 2017.
U-space Community Network
CORUS stands for Concept of Operation for EuRopean UTM Systems. It is a Horizon 2020 project, established within the context of SESAR. Gathering experts from aviation (manned and drone), research and academia, the CORUS consortium will develop and write a concept of operations for U-Space, the European system for management of drones.
Starting from the U-Space blueprint and from the ATM Master Plan update, the project will produce detailed definitions of the services necessary for VLL drone operations over the next two years. It is guided by an Advisory Board of 22 members, and a growing ‘U-space Community Network’ of stakeholders.
In line with LIBRe Foundation’s initiatives and efforts to support the development of the national legal framework for unmanned aerial vehicle, the organization joined the U-space Community Network in February 2018.
Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition
Since January 2017 LIBRe Foundation is a member of the European Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition. The Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition is a multi-stakeholder partnership involving Member States, companies, social partners, NGOs and educational establishments – in the efforts to meet the high demand for digital skills in Europe which are essential in today's digital society and economy.
At LIBRe we recognise that the objectives and principles of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition Members Charter meet our mission and values. Therefore, we volunteered to contribute in the European efforts to:
Educate and train more young people for digital professions so that we can create a large pool of talented young digital professionals, with increased female participation, who are work ready and can take up the growing number of unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals in Europe.
Up-skill and re-skill the European labour force with the digital skills they need to remain productive in the jobs they have and to become employable for new ones.
Modernise our education and training systems for the digital age, bringing digital skills and competences to all levels of education and training.
Improve the digital skills of all citizens so that they can play an active role in modern society, strengthening social inclusion.
General information, research and policy documents regarding the digital skills and jobs in Europe are available here.
LexConverge Network
LexConverge is a consortium of leading academic research institutes and law firms which is interested in inter-disciplinary work on the legal aspects of emerging and converging technologies. With a presence in virtually every EU Member State as well as a growing number of places in Africa, Australia and North America, it seeks to facilitate the formation of multi-disciplinary teams to undertake both consultancy work and research projects.
The primary goal of LexConverge is to bring researchers and practitioners together for collaborative work and also to submit bids for research projects to funding bodies such as the European Commission, ESRC, AHRC. It additionally serves as a forum for discussion and means of increasing collaboration in various activities relating to inter-disciplinary work in law and technology issues.
The experts at LIBRe Foundation have significant experience within LexConverge and have proven their professionalism in the work on project related to digital society, security, privacy, and other fields. Since 2015 LIBRe Foundation is also considered an institutional partner of LexConverge Network for Europe.
Follow our News page for up-to-date information on our collaborative activities.