About Lucas Cardiell | Scholar in AI Ethics, Human Rights Law, and the Impact of Intelligent Humanoid Robots | PhD Research and Academic Background

About Me

I research the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, especially in relation to humanoid robots. My work explores how these entities influence core human values such as dignity, privacy, autonomy, consent, and non-discrimination.

Research & Academic Service

PhD and Master’s Selection Committees, European University Institute (2022–2023)
Visiting Researcher, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), Rome, Italy (2020)
Research Team Member, Center for AI and Digital Policy, Washington, USA (2021)
Researcher, Finnish Migration Institute (2017–2018)
Columnist, Contributor to Finnish newspapers on AI, technology, and human rights (2011–2020)

Scholarships

PhD Program, European University Institute, funded by the Academy of Finland (2019–2024)
Recognized Student, University of Oxford, funded by the Academy of Finland (2021)
Visiting Researcher, Osaka University, Japan, funded by the Academy of Finland (2021)
Master’s Program, European University Institute, funded by the Academy of Finland (2018–2019)
EU Erasmus Program, Bachelor’s degree, funded by the EU (2011–2012)

Education

Ph.D. in Law – European University Institute, Florence, Italy (2024)
Dissertation: Human Rights in the Midst of Intelligent Humanoid Robots’ Rise: The Good, the Bad, and the Uncertain
Focus: AI, robotics, and human rights — particularly privacy, data protection, consent, autonomy, and non-discrimination in human–humanoid interactions.
LL.M. in Comparative, European, and International Laws – European University Institute, Florence, Italy (2019)
Focus: AI, robotics, and privacy.
Master’s in International Human Rights Law – Åbo Akademi University, Finland (2017)
Focus: Citizenship deprivation and human rights.
Master of Sociology – University of Eastern Finland (2014)
Focus: Borders, society, and cultural diversity.
Bachelor of International Relations – University of Eastern Finland (2012)

Selected Publications

“A Robot is Watching You” – Masaryk U. J. of Law & Tech, 2021
“Citizenship Deprivation” – Nordicum-Mediterraneum, 2018
Chapter: “Robots humanoïdes intelligents…” – Mimésis Editions, 2024

Current Projects

📘 Book: Turning my PhD thesis into a book: “Human Rights in the Midst of Intelligent Humanoid Robots’ Rise.”
📝 Article: “MORE THAN ROBOTS — Between Human Rights, Ethics and Governance”
🎓 Seeking: Teaching & Post-Doc roles in AI ethics, tech policy & human rights.

Contact

Email: lucas.cardiell@eui.eu

Talks & Presentations

2025: “MORE THAN ROBOTS — Humanoid Robots Between Human Rights, Ethics and Governance.” Summer Symposium, Vilnius University, Lithuania
2024: “Humanoid Robots Are Coming to You: On How They Might Cause Privacy Threats.” Erasmus School of Law, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2024: “Humanoid Robots–Surveillance: The Good, The Bad, and the Uncertain.” Winter Symposium, Vilnius, Lithuania
2023: “Sex Robots and the Troubling Issue of Dehumanization – A Human Rights Perspective.” Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland
2022: “Can We Become Friends? ‘Of Course,’ Replied the Robot.” IE University, Spain & University of Cologne, Germany
2020: “AI, Robotics and Privacy in the 21st Century – Case: Social Companion Robots.” KU Leuven, Belgium
2019: “AI, Robotics and Human Rights – New Invasions of Privacy.” Nordic Summer University, Roosta, Estonia
2018: “Social Humanoid Robots and the Right to Privacy.” Nordic Summer University, Fårö Island, Sweden

Beyond Innovation: AI, Robotics and the Future of Human Rights

Exploring Human Rights in a World of Intelligent Machines

Navigating the Future of AI, Humanoid Robots & Human Rights — and Their Interactions

Dr. Lucas Cardiell