Panels
AI and Human Values
14:10-14:50 PANEL
AI and Human Values: Who Decides, Who Benefits?
Abstract
AI is no longer just about algorithms — it’s about the values we live by. From climate and sustainability to trust, democracy, and personal autonomy, AI forces us to ask what kind of future we want to build. How much decision-making should we hand over to machines? Can we embed human values into AI without sacrificing cultural diversity? And who should be held accountable when things go wrong?
In this panel, leading experts will debate the opportunities and limits of aligning AI with human values. Expect strong perspectives, challenging questions, and a discussion that reaches beyond technology into the heart of society.
Moderator:
Liane Colonna is an Associate Professor in Law and Informatics at the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) and employed an Assistant Professor in Law and Information Technology at the Department of Law, Stockholm University. Her research is conducted within the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanities and Society (WASP-HS), where she explores methodological approaches to research in the field of AI and Law. She is also interested in ethical and legal challenges arising from AI-driven practices in higher education. As Director of the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute, she leads initiatives at the intersection of law, technology and society. Liane has been a member of the New York Bar since 2008.
Panelist:
Johan Fredrikzon is a Historian of Ideas with a background in Computer Science, currently at KTH. He recently completed a three-year fellowship at UC Berkeley and Stanford University. His research traces the history of artificial intelligence through the lens of error, exploring how notions of failure, deviance, and breakdown have shaped AI cultures since the 1950s. He has published and taught on themes including erasure, authorship, and death, and is under contract with Fri Tanke to write a book on the ideas driving AI projects.
Panelist:
Katja de Vries is an Associate Professor in Public Law at Uppsala University and affiliated with the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute in Stockholm. Her research explores the legal challenges posed by AI-generated content, particularly in relation to data protection, intellectual property, and emerging regulatory frameworks. She is Principal Investigator of the interdisciplinary research environment VOICE. AI-created voices: legal and societal perspectives(2025–2030), funded by the Swedish Research Council, where she examines how synthetic voices impact law, policy, and society.
Panelist:
Alexis de Kerchove is a leader in sustainable water management with over 20 years of experience advancing innovative solutions to global water challenges. As Senior Director of Client Sustainability at Xylem, he works with European utilities to develop strategies that promote circular water systems, resource efficiency, and climate resilience. He also serves on the boards of Water Europe and the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF), where he advocates for progressive water policies and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. His leadership has helped accelerate the sector’s transition toward sustainable and climate-neutral practices.
Alexis holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Yale University and an MBA from ESADE Business School, blending technical expertise with strategic insight. He is dedicated to shaping a resilient future for water management and driving meaningful progress toward global sustainability goals.
