GovTechTalks: Digital Government in Estonia and The Netherlands: Autonomy in Decision-making and Government Decision-making

Invited Speakers:

• Helen Eenmaa (University of Tartu, Estonia, and a visiting professor of law at Luiss Guido Carli University, Rome)
• Marlies Van Eck (principal consultant at H ooghiemstra & Partners, and assistant professor at Radboud University, Nijmegen)

Helen Eenmaa

Abstract

Reliance on mathematical certainty, when applied in governance, can enhance both, the sovereignty of the state applying the technologies and the personal autonomy of individuals. When people have more certainty, they can make better decisions and be more in control of their lives. This talk delves into the question of why do societies benefit from well-executed and observable automated processes in governance through the analysis of the Estonian experience with digital government.

Bio

Helen Eenmaa (JSD Yale Law School) is a researcher in information technology law at the University of Tartu, Estonia, and a visiting professor of law at Luiss Guido Carli University, Rome. In research, she combines technology law scholarship with law & economics and moral & legal philosophy.

Marlies Van Eck

Abstract

The Netherlands has been an early adopter in automating the day to day execution of legal tasks. Automated decision-making (ADM) has been around for decades but didn't get much attention of lawyers. These days the use of AI gets a lot of attention, but unfortunately lawyers eyes are on Machine Learning while the transformation of law into code with preprogrammed algorithms is neglected. In this ... Marlies will discuss how ADM and the re use of data has diminished administrative justice and legal protection. Lessons learned in NL can be of great value for future projects.