Graduation Ceremony of Bocconi’s LLM in Law of Internet Technology

The graduation ceremony of the LLM in Law of Internet Technology at Bocconi University has been a relevant moment to reflect on the future of technology and its regulations. Notably, this marks the final edition of the course under its current name, as it transitions to: “Law of Technology and Automated Systems”. In introducing the event, Professor Pollicino highlighted that this shift reflects the evolving landscape of technology and its intersection with the law, increasingly shaped by emerging fields such as AI, robotics, and beyond.

The core of the event has been the keynote address by Vittorio Colao, former Minister for technological innovation and digital transition. Drawing from his experience at Vodafone, where he led operations in Italy before overseeing global operations, Colao shared insights into the journey of technological regulation and the challenges that lie ahead. He recalled how Vodafone tackled critical issues, highlighting key milestones from his tenure: enhancing global connectivity, promoting fair pricing through the elimination of tariffs and non-discriminatory practices, and ensuring equitable allocation of spectrum resources to foster market competition. By addressing these challenges, the company emerged as a leader in innovation, with accomplishments ranging from building emergency networks in disaster-stricken areas to supporting vaccine distribution in Africa. Looking to the future, Colao underscored the transformative impact of the “death of distance”, where computing power and global connectivity converge to create unprecedented opportunities. He likened this evolution to the current landscape of AI platforms, where high barriers to entry limit competition but drive extraordinary innovation. He emphasized that technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, requiring a careful balance between swift regulatory action and detailed oversight. 

Colao noted that Europe has made significant progress with key regulations like the GDPR, Digital Markets Act, and AI Act. However, he questioned whether Europe is moving too slowly, and these measures might be overly complex, potentially hindering their effectiveness in ensuring fair competition and innovation. Colao also explored some of the most pressing challenges of the future. He pointed to the rise of cryptocurrencies, emphasizing the need to prevent criminal misuse while fostering innovation in digital finance through instruments like CBDCs and stablecoins. Then, he focused on privacy and communication security, as encrypted services pose both ethical dilemmas and security risks. Above all, he stressed the transformative impact of AI on decision-making, urging for a more dynamic regulatory approach, combining ex-post measures with an outcome-oriented focus. 

Finally, he reflected on freedom of expression. Colao warned about the growing cultural difficulties and political pressures in addressing content manipulation. He called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, underpinned by expertise and ethical leadership. Colao then concluded with a last encouragement to students, saying that even if the future promises to be fascinating, it will be crucial to preserve the foundational principles and scientific rigor of the technological approach, while upholding the integrity of the law.

The ceremony also featured remarks from Bocconi’s Rector, Gianmario Verona, who praised the LLM program for its innovative approach in bridging law and technology, and from Carmelo Fontana, Senior Regional Counsel at Google, who provided a pragmatic perspective, discussing the complexities of operating in a fragmented regulatory environment. He cautioned that such fragmented frameworks risk stifling innovation and increasing costs for companies, making technological advancements more difficult to achieve.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, course coordinator Paolucci celebrated the graduates’ achievements and handed out diplomas alongside Professor Patti, expressing hope that the lessons and interactions from the program would leave a lasting impact. The LLM in Law and Automated Systems stands as a testament to the dynamic interplay between technology and law, equipping its graduates to navigate and shape the future with resilience, innovation, and ethical clarity.