CALL FOR PAPERS: NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY, 22-23 October 2026
ESIL-supported conference – University of Perugia, Italy
As States and their essential services become increasingly dependent on new technologies, including cyber technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), the potential impact of malicious cyber or AIenabled operations grows significantly. Such operations, whether conducted during peacetime, hybrid or armed conflict, can cause severe damage and even impair the functioning of the targeted State.
The conference will assess the availability and effectiveness of international law means and methods
– including diplomatic, adjudicative, and operational – to ensure legal accountability for malicious
cyber and AI-enabled malicious operations, as well as the challenges they face. The aim of the
conference is to promote critical reflection, and to inform States, individuals, and international
organisations about available avenues for securing accountability.
Application Process
Please submit an abstract of no more than 500 words by April 15, 2026 to newtechila@gmail.com.
The following information should also be included with your abstract:
(i) your name, affiliation and email address;
(ii) whether you are an ESIL member (being an ESIL member is not a requirement to submit
the abstract);
(iii) a short CV;
(iv) a commitment to submit a position paper;
(v) an indication of whether you intend to submit a full paper for future publication.
We encourage submissions from scholars of all backgrounds, particularly those from
underrepresented groups in international law and early career researchers.
Participation is conditional on submitting a position paper of no more than 3,000 words by
September 15, 2026.
The conference will take place on Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October 2026 at the
Department of Political Science of the University of Perugia, Italy.
For more details, refer here
