Everything new is new again

For the second annual iteration of Tech+Social Justice week, the Faculty of Law challenged students, alumni, industry and academics to embrace a new understanding of the social justice implications of technology. Dr Genevieve Wilkinson, who co-organised the event week with Maxine Evers and Crystal Meikle, explained:

This year we wanted students to learn more about how law can impact the potential social benefits and harms of technology but also how they can develop legal tech skills which will give them a deeper understanding of these issues. Throughout the week, we organised access to training on the low-code Checkbox legal tech platform and asked students to think about their own big ideas for how legal technology can make the world a more sustainable place.

— Dr Genevieve Wilkinson, co-organiser of Tech+Social Justice week

The week of interactive events began with some fresh insights on the implications of AI for inclusion and diversity in the workplace from ACT New Barrister of the Year, Angelique Nelis in her Brennan Justice Talk. Law students were particularly interested in hearing from young lawyers about their experiences and views in relation to the nexus between tech and social justice.

Next up, a lunchtime event for minds hungry to learn more about the social justice implications of cutting-edge research in technology and the law: fourteen academics from the Technology and IP Research Cluster presented snapshots of their latest work. Our speakers identified the many challenges that technology poses for law and adequate protection for artists, freedom of expression, Indigenous rights and freedom from both discrimination and misinformation. Importantly, law academics spoke of the opportunities for improved access to legal information, better telecommunications regulation, less waste, ethical reef restoration and using the Cosmic Arts Copyright Convention in live-action role play to aid legal understanding.

A highlight of the week was a fantastic networking event at UTS Start-Ups for students, alumni, academics and industry partners eager to learn more about technology, law and social justice. Our panel of industry experts – Sophie Farthing, Linda Przhedetsky, Leanne Ho and Vasili Maroulis – explored new frontiers in law, technology and social justice. Chair, Professor Penny Crofts led a captivating conversation about diverse social justice challenges and opportunities for technology and the law, canvassing access to justice, gender, consumer protection, neurotech, housing and the fundamental importance of human rights.

Vasili Maroulis, CEO of Marrickville Legal Centre, spoke about how the not-for-profit sector can benefit significantly from the impact of tech on social justice. Importantly he reminded us that ‘AI should not be an arms race’ with an unequal distribution of the benefits of AI and that distribution inequality was impacting the not-for-profit sector. 

People who care about social justice shouldn’t be scared of learning about tech because expertise in human rights, fairness, non-discrimination and transparency is essential to ensuring tech is used for good.

– Leanne Ho, Pro Bono Partner, Wotten + Kearney

Law student, Daron Manoukian won the Technology and IP Law Cluster Big Idea competition with his idea for an app to make the world a more sustainable place. His winning idea proposed ‘RefuGuide AI: tailored support for international refugees on visas, hearings, rights, appeals and essential legal services with generative AI.’

Tech+Social Justice week provided students, staff, alumni and external partners with a rich opportunity to better understand new challenges presented by technological innovation as well as the power of tech to benefit social justice.