Artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally change medical research and medical care: from diagnosis and therapy planning to clinical decision support. However, with the increasing use of learning systems in healthcare, the need for a reliable legal framework is also growing. In his lecture "Beyond the Sandbox: Regulatory Readiness for Clinical AI Applications", Prof Wendland will explore the question of how medical AI applications can be implemented in a legally secure, transparent and scalable manner against the backdrop of the current legal framework, in particular the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and the AI Regulation. This is not just about complying with legal requirements, but also about a future-oriented, practical regulatory strategy that enables innovation and creates trust. The presentation will provide insights into key requirements such as risk classification, data quality, transparency obligations and the continuous operation of AI-based systems in the clinical environment. At the centre is the question of how the potential of artificial intelligence can be used robustly, practically and effectively in the highly regulated and sensitive area of healthcare.

From 9 to 11 October 2024, the 6th Open Search Symposium took place at the Leibniz Data Centre (LRZ) in Garching near Munich. Together with Professor Matthias Wendland, the AI Law & Data team presented the LISA and Nordlink projects.

More than 120 participants intensively discussed the technical, ethical and legal dimensions of open web search. The development of large AI models (Large Language Models) based on the Open Web Index, the integration of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) infrastructures and the question of how an ethically curated, open infrastructure can be designed beyond the dominant platform providers were at the centre of the discussion.

Minister of State Dr Florian Herrmann emphasised the importance of Open Search for science and democracy and reaffirmed the support of the Bavarian State Government as part of the Hightech Agenda Bayern.

EU Director General Roberto Viola emphasised the need for an open and transparent web index as an integral part of a democratically regulated digital ecosystem - for a transparent and fair Internet.

At the 3rd Global Forum on Enforcement in Strasbourg, high-level experts in law, technology, and procedural justice, together with representatives from the judiciary, governments, and international institutions across Europe, gathered on December 2, 2024 at the Palais de l'Europe at the invitation of the Council of Europe to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming judicial processes-and how to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are upheld.

Key takeaways: To fully leverage the potential of AI within the justice system, its deployment must be firmly anchored in established legal standards, guided by rigorous ethical principles, and shielded by robust institutional safeguards. Only under these conditions can fundamental rights be upheld and access to justice be safeguarded effectively.