Investigator:
Nikolaos Theodorakis

Abstract:
The advent of Generative AI and automated content moderation on online platforms creates several challenges for data protection and algorithmic accountability. In the European Union, key regulations include the AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation, which establish a risk-based approach that imposes accountability and transparency obligations on AI-empowered platforms. However, recent developments such as the withdrawal of the EU AI product liability directive, and the European Commission proposal to reform its privacy laws (the “Omnibus” proposal) poses issues of enforcement moving forward. On the other hand, the United States focuses on a patchwork of federal and state laws, and sector-specific regulations, which leads to a de facto divergence. The project will explore how these different regulatory approaches affect AI governance and algorithmic decision-making on social media, marketplaces, and content-sharing platforms. By comparing the EU and the US, the research will identify specific gaps and overlaps, as well as opportunities for transatlantic regulatory alignment. In an era of increasing interconnectivity, the key challenge will be for both the EU and the US to operate in a seamless manner, opt for efficient enforcement, and strike a meaningful balance between innovation, privacy, and accountability in an evolving digital ecosystem.