Luana Lo Piccolo’s Journey in Law and AI Governance

• Luana Lo Piccolo’s innate curiosity and passion for diversity led her to build bridges and break barriers in her career journey.
• She believes that the law can be a powerful tool for societal change.
• She is drawn to the intersection of technology and law, which led her to work on relevant regulatory initiatives at the EU level.
• Her advice to young advocates is to stay curious, never lose sight of the impact they can have, and listen to their inner voice.

1. Please tell us about your childhood and how your experiences shaped who you are today.

I was born and raised in a small town in Sicily, and since I was a child I wanted to explore the world. My innate curiosity and passion for diversity pushed me to travel extensively and from a very young age, I knew there was a wide and fascinating world to discover. I was fascinated by the idea of building bridges and breaking barriers, and I felt that was my mission and purpose.

I remember a constructive and formative moment in my youth when my Greek literature professor told us that she didn’t care if we knew Herodotus, a famous Greek author, by heart. What truly mattered to her was that we knew his values in our daily lives and, in particular, the fact that diversity is richness. That lesson profoundly shaped me and fueled my lifelong commitment to democratic values, such as inclusion and substantive equality. This drive to embrace the unfamiliar led me to study abroad, refine my education in a national context, and ultimately find opportunities outside my domestic comfort zone. I am passionate about the systems shaping our world. So I think this is why I have been deeply reflecting on the impact of social media on our lives, especially its data-centric business model and its capacity to undermine democratic values, including our ability to make free and informed choices.

I always say that there is no worse slavery than the one we ignore. And I am sure that this belief has been a guiding force in my personal and professional life so far.

2. What inspired you to embark on this professional journey, and how did you become a lawyer?

I’ve always wanted to be a jurist more than a lawyer. My journey into law began with an innate passion for justice and the belief that the law, when drafted well, could be a powerful tool for societal change. Over time, I found myself drawn to the intersection of technology and law, particularly how our legal frameworks could address the challenges and opportunities of innovation. This path led me to work on relevant regulatory initiatives at the EU level, such as the EU-AI Act that came into force in August 2024, the Digital Services Act, and the Digital Market Act—which allowed me to use all my skills. 

I’ve always considered my job as a tool to realize my purpose. I saw a lot of value in using my diplomatic skills and legal knowledge to shape policies that ensure accountability while fostering innovation.

3. What are your important life values and how have they contributed to the progression of your career in law?

Three of my main important values are knowledge, inclusion, and integrity. 

Knowledge is the foundation of everything I do and have done. Whether it’s mastering legal frameworks or understanding cultural nuances, I believe that continuous learning is essential for growth and the key to solving problems. We live in a digital world where we consistently see a lot of disinformation and misinformation, for instance about emerging technologies, including AI. On one side we have unnecessary fears, and on the other side, we undermine the risk a non-responsible and unethical use of these emerging technologies could pose. Francis Bacon once said that knowledge is power, but when it comes to complex issues, such as emerging technologies, it’s hard to understand how they work because they create a lot of confusion. But a lot of confusion also comes from very well-educated people. And this is something we have seen with information itself during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why it’s important to understand how emerging technologies work. I’m talking about emerging technologies because my focus is on innovation, but this can apply to everything. It’s key to protecting democratic values and understanding the importance of building bridges and destroying unnecessary barriers.

Inclusivity is the ability to see diversity as a strength. And this value has shaped my approach to problem-solving and policymaking. My fascination with exploring different cultures has been a driving force in my life. It has taught me to value different perspectives and adapt to new environments. These skills are crucial and have been essential in the global and complex landscapes I have been navigating. 

Another important value is integrity because it ensures that my decisions meet both ethical standards and the values I advocate for, even when facing difficult or unpopular decisions. And it happens quite often, especially when it comes to innovation. 

So together, these values have enabled me to build bridges across disciplines and cultures and create impactful solutions that reflect a commitment to accountability and fairness, which is aligned with my purpose.

4. In your experience, what are the biggest misconceptions about AI governance that you encounter in global discussions?

One of the most persistent misconceptions is that regulation inherently hampers innovation. This idea oversimplifies the role and impact of regulation. I’m not claiming that every regulation is perfect or always beneficial. As Otto von Bismarck famously said, “Laws are like sausages; it’s better not to see them being made.” This is particularly true in the EU legislative process, where reaching consensus requires navigating the complexities of 27 countries, each with its own administration, 24 official languages, and three key institutions—the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament—each with diverse political groups and priorities. It’s an incredibly intricate and imperfect process. However, when a regulation is well-designed, it provides much-needed clarity and trust, creating a framework where innovation can thrive responsibly. Far from stifling creativity, such regulation can act as a guidepost, ensuring that technological advancements align with societal values and ethical principles.

Another common misconception is that AI governance is purely a technical challenge. While technical expertise is crucial, governance requires a multidisciplinary approach. It must encompass human rights, societal impacts, and legal and policy implications. Addressing AI governance effectively means recognizing that it’s as much about ethics and societal considerations as it is about algorithms and data.

5. Please share some of the biggest challenges you encountered while working on the EU AI Act and the Digital Services Act, and how you navigated them.

One of the biggest challenges has been managing diverse and often conflicting interests of stakeholders including governments, civil society, and tech companies. Also, striking the right balance between ambition and practicality required extensive dialogue, compromise, and a commitment to keeping the public interest at the forefront.

Another significant hurdle was navigating the political implications and games often accompanying such high-stakes policy-making. There is also the lobbying coming from the big tech and international organizations or nonprofit organizations pushing for the protection of fundamental rights. So the negotiations were influenced by diverse national priorities, institutional rivalries, and lobbying pressures.

Additionally, the rapid pace of technological advancements poses its own challenges, because policies need to be forward-looking, adaptable, and robust enough to address emerging issues without hampering innovation. That’s something we aim to achieve with the EU AI Act, as well as through the role of the EU Office and other bodies, ensuring that the rules established by the Act align with the rapid pace of technological progress. I tackle this by staying informed, engaging with multidisciplinary experts, and emphasizing principles that can withstand technological skills. 

Through it all, the guiding force was my unwavering belief in the power of well-crafted regulation, to not only mitigate the risks but also unlock opportunities for innovation and societal progress. Because again, the real challenge is finding the balance. Innovation and progress are not bad. We just want to ensure that progress benefits the entire society and we can use it as a force. We can use it to empower us rather than the other way around.

6. How do you view the relationship between human rights and technological innovation, and what steps can leaders take to align them?

Human rights and technological innovation should complement each other. Innovation must be guided by principles that respect privacy, equality, and freedom. Leaders can align these forces by embedding ethical and responsible considerations into the design and deployment of technologies and by fostering transparent and inclusive policy-making processes that prioritize societal well-being.

7. How can the global community ensure effective cybercrime prosecution, and what role do international cooperation play in addressing this challenge?

International crimes demand international cooperation and legal framework harmonization because it’s something at the global level. If we don’t have harmonization between legal frameworks and agreements, there is no protection for the victims. Governments and organizations must prioritize cross-border agreements, share best practices, and invest in capacity building to address these crimes effectively. I also believe that we need to empower victims by streamlining access to justice and offering better protection mechanisms.

This is a clear topic that requires international cooperation. It is one of the topics that has been undermined nowadays, albeit being crucial. Since it is a global issue, organizations and governments at the global level should put it at the top of their agenda to harmonize legal frameworks and draft effective protection mechanisms for victims.

8. How will the EU AI Act’s obligations on high-risk AI developers impact international firms, especially in the US? What challenges might arise for companies outside the EU?

The EU Act will require international developers to adapt to stricter transparency, accountability, and compliance requirements. There will be challenges and things to do, which may include navigating complex reporting obligations and adapting systems to meet European standards. Technology is global, so it requires an international approach.

Sometimes, especially for non-EU developers whose products, services, or AI systems are intended for use within the EU, the challenge arises from differing regulations, policies, and rules in their home countries, such as the US, South Korea, or India. However, when operating in the EU, these developers must ensure compliance with the requirements outlined in the AI Act.

It’s indeed challenging to navigate different rules at the global level or meet these compliance requirements. However, I believe that these measures also present an opportunity for companies out of the EU to gain a competitive edge by demonstrating their commitment to developing ethical, responsible AI practices. I don’t look at it just as a challenge, but also as an opportunity to use the compliance required by the EU to strategically position themselves as leaders. And these will attract more clients, partners, and talents.

9. What topics in AI governance are currently underrepresented in public discourse?

One critical yet underrepresented topic is anthropomorphism—the tendency to attribute human characteristics to AI systems. Over-relying on AI and treating it as if it possesses human qualities not only leads to inaccuracies, as we’re seeing today, but also risks undermining the development of essential human skills. By blurring the line between humans and machines, we risk fostering overdependence and eroding critical thinking and judgment in areas where human intuition and reasoning are indispensable.

Another area that requires more attention is the nuanced role AI plays in the workforce. The common narrative focuses heavily on AI replacing jobs and increasing unemployment rates. While that is a concern, the more pressing issue is how reliance on AI in decision-making processes, such as recruitment, can perpetuate biases rather than mitigate them. A notable example is Amazon’s use of an AI-based hiring system, which unintentionally discriminated against women because the system was trained on historical data where women were underrepresented in certain roles. This highlights the importance of human oversight in ensuring fairness, compliance, and ethical decision-making.

The misconception that AI systems are inherently objective and fair is dangerous. Without active governance and careful monitoring, relying exclusively on AI risks not only amplifying biases but also making decision-making processes less transparent and more prone to errors. The need for clarity and accountability in AI governance cannot be overstated.

10. What are your passions and interests beyond your professional life?

Traveling is one of my greatest passions, deeply tied to my core values of curiosity, inclusivity, and connection. For me, discovering different cultures is both fascinating and enriching. I view diversity as a source of true richness, and travel offers the opportunity to exchange perspectives with people from all walks of life, which profoundly broadens my understanding of the world.

I’m also passionate about writing, as it’s a powerful tool for spreading knowledge and combating misinformation. Writing allows me to articulate ideas and contribute meaningfully to important discussions. I’m currently working on a book titled Artificial Confusion, which aims to shed light on the complexities of AI and clear up misconceptions.

Finally, I have a strong appreciation for physical activities. I’m dynamic and proactive by nature, and practices like yoga not only keep me physically healthy but also stimulate my mind. As Juvenal famously wrote, “Mens sana in corpore sano”—a sound mind in a sound body. This

philosophy resonates deeply with me, as I believe maintaining physical and mental well-being is essential for fostering creativity, resilience, and a balanced life.

11. What are your goals for the year?

Professionally, my goal is to launch my book. I also want to be more present and live every experience, professionally or personally, with enthusiasm and gratitude for what I have. I also want to be more courageous to explore new things and always challenge myself to go out of my comfort zone and see what is out there.

12. If given the opportunity, what aspects of the legal field would you like to change? What’s your advice for young advocates navigating the industry?

I would advocate for more transparency and inclusivity in the legal field, ensuring diverse voices shape the profession. 

I advise young advocates to stay curious, embrace interdisciplinary approaches, and never lose sight of the human impact behind the policy cases they work on. Listen to your inner voice and try to understand yourself because the answer is always within us. Don’t get distracted by external noise; try to understand what makes your heart sing. There is a huge difference between doing a job because you have to make money, which is completely fine, and doing something because you believe you can change the world even with small things. The latter is when you can be a leader who inspires others.

One lesson I learned in my life, which I think somehow relates to this question, is a quote that says: “If you want to go faster go alone, but if you want to go far, go together“. Together, we can tackle many of the challenges we face today from misinformation, disinformation, societal changes, and international crimes.

Luana Lo Piccolo’s passion for justice and the belief that well-drafted law could be a powerful tool for societal change led her to work on relevant regulatory initiatives. Having knowledge, inclusion, and integrity as her core values, she has built bridges and created impactful solutions.