Law, Science and Technology, Rights of Internet of Everything (LAST-JD-RIoE) is a 3-Year PhD Program funded by a research grant from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
The program rovides 15 positions managed by nine beneficaries: University of Bologna (UNIBO), University Turin (UNITO), University Luxembourg (UL), the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), the Centre for IT and IP Law of KU Leuven (KUL), Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH), Universität Wien (UNIVIEN)
Objectives
The Internet of Everything (IoE) poses technical, legal and ethical challenges for a society which is still under-prepared for its emergence, lacking suitable personnel (developers, policy advisors) with the necessary understanding of the complex set of issues involved. IoE goes beyond the Internet of Things (IoT) and it represents a technological and social revolution. Before the IoT, most data on the Internet was entered manually, and was limited in its coverage. The IoT brings in automatic sensors to all kinds of equipment (refrigerators, watches, cars, heart monitors), and allows real-time data analytics in the cloud. The IoE connects disparate IoT systems via an ever- expanding network to allow cognitive computers capable of learning and sorting information to make sense of the waves of big data and get complex tasks done on our behalf. Still, the Internet is first an Internet of Persons (IoP), persons who contribute each day with a huge amount of content and create new relations via social networks. IoT together with information from social networks and other sources create the problem of how to deal with a huge amount of interconnected data, an Internet of Data (IoD), and only Big Data technologies can give meaning to data and make IoT devices smart. IoT used in the field of medicine and the availability of data in that sector give rise to the Internet of Healthcare (IoH), promising us new approaches to take care of patients, also at home. Finally, the emergence in Internet of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin has shown the potentialities of underlying distributed ledger technologies (such as the Blockchain). Such technologies they create a layer of trust above the Internet, thus allowing transactions of all kinds. The resulting Internet of Money (IoM) promises a revolution not only in the financial world but also in many other aspects of our life, such as certificates, ballots, data ownership, etc.
The IoE has the potential to change many aspects of our daily lives. The technology offers opportunities still unforeseen, but it is invasive and not neutral, and poses important ethical and legal challengesi. The role of innovation may be challenged by society.
To remain innovative, Europe requires a new generation of researchers, professionals and leaders who are able to enter research, industry and institutions with a portfolio of competences to develop and deal with new regulations and ethics, to invent innovative solutions, and to develop highly specialized ICT IoE products compliant with the law.
Structure
The scientific work of Doctoral candidates is organized into three phases connected to mobility:
- During the first 6 month term, all candidates will participate in an orientation camp with
interdisciplinary and soft skills courses in Bologna. Its purpose is to familiarize ESRs with the
research environment and to refine the dissertation topic, including a review of the state-of-the art
and publication plan. It ends with a semester assessment and project proposal presentation
to the Scientific Committee. - Two terms will be spent at other universities (first UNITO, UAB or MRU and then UL, KUL, UNIVIEN o
LUH) to continue the interdisciplinary training in Computer Science, Law, IT Law and Ethics
departments. In this phase, candidates will produce the first scientific results and chapters of their
dissertations. Major steps during this phase are to defend an updated dissertation proposal and to
submit a publication to an international conference. Thesis synopsis and semester
assessments in front of the Scientific Committee will be the other milestones. - In order to prepare for professional life, there is an obligatory internship at industrial partner organizations.
The rest of the terms will be spent at the university of the main supervisor to produce final scientific
results and the thesis. The key result is the submission of a journal paper. Milestones: semester
assessments in front of the Scientific Committee and thesis submission.