The Institute for Information, Telecommunications, and Media Law (ITM) at the University of Münster has launched the third edition of its English-language Law of the Digital Economy program. The opening session combined practical insights into corporate AI adoption with an examination of overlapping European data legislation.
Professor Thomas Hoeren welcomed the participants and outlined the program’s structure, study groups, exams, and Q&A sessions. Speaking to legal professionals, international students, Erasmus students, and students in Münster, he described a course that links legal principles to the practical challenges of the digital economy.
The first guest lecture, delivered by Professor Wanning of Ansbach University, formerly a data protection officer at Flix, examined the Flix Group’s AI strategy. He traced the evolution from established machine-learning applications in pricing and network planning toward broader adoption of AI throughout the company. Examples included the customer service chatbot Flora and internal AI tools.
His presentation also addressed the organizational work behind these applications: policies, inventories, and practical playbooks, with reference to the AI Act and ISO/IEC 42001. Rising operating costs, risks associated with AI-generated code, and tensions between generated answers and expert legal advice illustrated the challenges that come with adoption.
Dr. Christian Jaksch of Volkswagen/CARIAD then examined the interaction between the GDPR, the e-Privacy Directive, the Data Act, and sector-specific legislation. Using connected vehicles as an example, he explained how data protection, rules on access to terminal equipment, and rights of access to connected-product data can overlap. His presentation also addressed automotive regulations concerning access to repair and maintenance information.
Professor Hoeren concluded with an introduction to the program’s substantive and methodological foundations. The winter and summer terms cover intellectual property, media and platform regulation, consumer protection, data protection, and cybersecurity. He contrasted approaches centered on intellectual property and freedom of information with an approach grounded in balancing European constitutional rights, before introducing the international institutions involved in shaping information law.
The ITM would like to thank both guest speakers for their contributions. The opening session is available on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/live/6OiwtydflR4
