Join our PhD program and become an expert in regulation of digital technologies focusing on artificial intelligence. Dive into challenging research topics and explore regulatory issues of one of the most discussed technologies. We welcome curious minds to join our open culture.
Take advantage of an inspiring environment and become a top expert in your selected AI regulation topic. At Kempelen institute, we prioritize ethical responsibility and societal benefit.
When working on your dissertation, you’ll have access to distinguished researchers, and industrial partners.
Choose a research topic that deeply interests you and will enrich the field. At KInIT, we support excellent, original world-class research and the connection with industry and current research and innovation challenges.
Our culture is based on trust, openness and respect. That is how great ideas are born. We share knowledge and innovations not only within the institute, but also with our industry partners and other curious people like you.
You’ll be teamed up with the best researchers in the region and gain invaluable experience and contacts from abroad that will boost your career growth in industry or academia.
You will become a part-time KInIT employee. We will give you all the time and space you need to focus on your research, skills development and growth.
KInIT Law and Digital Technologies PhD program is run in partnership with
Supervisor: Matúš Mesarčík (KInIT)
Keywords: AI systems regulation, rule of law, democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, disinformation, hybrid threats AI Act
Artificial intelligence is reshaping governance, society, and the democratic process by introducing opportunities for innovation and efficiency but also significant challenges to the protection of fundamental rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles. As governments and private entities increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions, issues such as algorithmic transparency, accountability, and power imbalances come to the forefront, demanding a robust and adaptive legal framework.
This project will explore how AI systems impact democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly within the context of European Union governance. The research will focus on the evolving interplay between technological innovation and legal safeguards, aiming to address questions of accountability, inclusivity, and the balance between innovation and fundamental rights. AI influences the rule of law by automating decision-making processes that may lack transparency and accountability, potentially undermining legal certainty and procedural fairness, while its role in democracy is evident in shaping public opinion through algorithmic personalization, which can amplify biases, spread disinformation, and disrupt equitable access to information.
The dissertation shall contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how AI systems pose an opportunity or challenge for the protection of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. The topic includes many research challenges and areas including:
Supervisor: Matúš Mesarčík (KInIT)
Keywords: medical devices regulation, AI Act, health care, conformity assessment, transparency, human oversight
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare, offering immense potential for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medicine. However, the European Union (EU) faces a complex web of legal requirements aimed at ensuring patient safety, privacy, and ethical use of AI in this sensitive domain. Furthermore, specific legal requirements for AI systems in general are not the same as requirements for medical devices according to the sector-specific regulation.
The dissertation shall delve into the intricate legal landscape surrounding AI-powered healthcare systems in the EU. It may analyze the interplay between the recently adopted EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) with its risk-based approach and sector-specific healthcare directives addressing medical device safety and ethical considerations. The topic includes many research challenges and areas including:
We provide PhD study in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at Palacký University in Olomouc (Czechia). You’ll be enrolled at the faculty as a full time or combined doctoral student. After you’re accepted for study, you’ll work as a part-time employee at our institute. Your doctoral research will be your primary job role.
You can choose from multiple interesting topics in your dissertation. They are based on different mentoring schemes including research topics supported by industrial research partners or research topics connected to international projects.
While working at our institute you’ll be a member of a KInIT research team focusing on Ethics & Human Values in Technology. However, you will collaborate with other teams on various projects or on other activities:
The rest is up to you! Turn your curiosity and passion for intelligent technologies into new discoveries or inventions making the world a better place.
Matúš Mesarčík
Ethics and Law Specialist
