Karin Tafur | Bio

A pioneering voice in the AI field, Karin Tafur's contributions to advancing AI policies that align with fundamental rights, the rule of law, and democratic values are driven by her expertise, research, advocacy, and proven ability to navigate the complexities of AI with clarity and strategic insight.

Contributions to Advancing Trustworthy AI and Responsible Innovation

1. Advocacy for Responsible AI Development:

As early as 2020, Karin Tafur was raising awareness about the ethical implications of AI. Through her articles, she urged society to think ahead and prepare for the responsible development and deployment of AI:

¡Los conejillos de indias de la educación: La Inteligencia Artificial en el sistema educativo!: Karin explored the potential risks of using AI in education, emphasizing the need to safeguard students from becoming experimental subjects in unregulated AI-driven educational tools. Access the publication here.
¡La Inteligencia Artificial y sus ‘Bias’ en el Sistema de Justicia!: She explained the dangers of algorithmic bias in the justice system, advocating for fairness and accountability in AI applications that affect legal outcomes. Learn more here.
"El asesino silencioso del ‘Movimiento Me Too" (o la discriminación automatizada de la tecnología predictiva): Karin highlighted the serious risks posed by predictive technologies, which can silently undermine the progress of social justice movements like Me Too by perpetuating automated discrimination. She pointed out how unchecked algorithmic bias can reinforce existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women and marginalized groups, and stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and fairness in the development and use of AI systems. Learn more here.

2. AI Regulation Expertise:

As the author of "AI Act: Five Key Insights for Navigating AI Regulation in Europe" (France, 2024), Karin provides critical guidance for stakeholders navigating the European Union’s AI Act, focusing on fostering transparency, fairness, and human rights compliance. Access the publication here.

3. Educational and Industry-Specific Contributions:

In "Generative AI for Financial and Legal Industries" (Thomson Reuters, UK, 2023), Karin coauthored an article that examines the challenges and opportunities of generative AI in industries where ethical compliance is paramount. Learn more here.
Karin teaches Responsible AI at leading technical institutions, equipping future leaders with the tools and knowledge to integrate ethical principles and regulatory standards for the responsible development and use of AI.

4. Interdisciplinary Research and Accessible Policy Development:

Karin’s contribution as coauthor of the book "Ethical, Legal, and Technological Challenges of Digital Advancement" (IUSTEL, 2023), published in Spanish, showcases her interdisciplinary approach to understanding the societal impacts of digital technologies. In her chapter, "La inteligencia Artificial y la discriminación automatizada," co-written with Anthony Novaes, she examines systemic AI-driven discrimination, with a particular focus on how it disproportionately affects women in key areas such as the workplace, finance, healthcare, the AI ecosystem, and insurance. Learn more here.
Karin directed, edited, and coauthored the book "Legal Design" (Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, 2022), a Spanish-language publication focused on making legal and technological frameworks more accessible and inclusive, particularly in Spain and Latin America. This work bridges complex legal concepts with practical usability, fostering clarity and innovation in the field. Learn more here.

5. Scientific and Policy Contributions:

In her coauthored article "On Assessing Trustworthy AI in Healthcare" (Frontiers, 2021), led by Professor Roberto Zicari, the article addresses the ethical deployment of AI in critical healthcare scenarios, advocating for transparency, trustworthiness, and accountability in AI applications. Access the publication here.

6. Recognition for Excellence in AI Research:

Karin’s commitment to ethical AI was recognized with the EU Next Generation Grant (Spain, 2022) for her groundbreaking contributions to AI research and development.

7. Promoting Trustworthy and Ethical AI Practices on a Global Scale

As part of her commitment to responsible AI, Karin Tafur is a member of Z-Inspection® (2018), a globally recognized initiative dedicated to evaluating the trustworthiness of AI systems. Z-Inspection® employs a transdisciplinary approach to ensure that AI applications adhere to ethical principles, including fairness, accountability, transparency, and societal impact. Through her work with Z-Inspection®, Karin contributes to rigorous assessments that help ensure AI systems are not only technically robust but also socially responsible and aligned with human rights. Learn more here.

8. Independent Expert on AI Law & Ethics for International Organizations

As an independent AI expert for the European Research Council, Karin contributes to evaluating and advancing cutting-edge AI research across Europe, ensuring alignment with European values, ethical principles, policies, and regulations Learn more here.
As an Independent Expert in Artificial Intelligence Law & Ethics for the Inter-American Development Bank, Karin performs comprehensive analyses of policies and regulations, translating them into actionable recommendations. She focuses on standards and industry best practices for early-stage AI projects in the IDB Group’s Innovation Lab/portfolio. Learn more here.
Expert Contributor to AI Standards Development – CEN/CENELEC JTC 21, CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) "have accepted a standardization request on Artificial Intelligence from the European Commission. In this context, CEN-CLC/JTC 21 is currently developing European standards which, in the future, would be able to provide manufacturers the presumption of conformity with the upcoming Artificial Intelligence Act". Learn more here.

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