ELI President, Prof Dr Pascal Pichonnaz, attended the 52nd European President’s Conference held in Vienna, Austria. While the event took place from 8–10 February 2023, President Pichonnaz joined the proceedings on 9–10 February 2024. The theme of the Conference was fully relevant to ELI’s second pillar of projects on Law and Governance for the Digital Age, namely ‘Big data, fewer rights – will AI change the rule of law forever?’. Among others, Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for AI and Digital Policy, an ELI Member, spoke on the above topic. During his remarks, Rotenberg specially acknowledged ELI’s important work in the field.

At the Conference, the President engaged in various activities, including a reception hosted by the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, and by the Austrian Federal Minister of Justice. He had the opportunity to meet Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution at the Federal Chancellery of Austria, and Alma Zadić, who had previously praised the work of the ELI.  Zadić emphasised ELI’s significant contributions not only in collaborating with national governments and European institutions but also in promoting the rule of law.

President Pichonnaz also joined the Juristen-Ball, which took place at the Hofburg Palace.