Conference “AI and Law” at the Turkish-German University: A Milestone in the Dialogue Between Technology and Law
14.10.2025
From October 8 to 10, 2025, the Turkish-German University (TDU) in Istanbul became the centre of a significant scientific exchange: under the title “AI and Law,” renowned experts from Germany and Turkey gathered to discuss the profound impacts of Artificial Intelligence on legal systems. Following the official opening by the TDU’s overall coordinator, Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay, the Vice-Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Hamide Özden Özkaya-Ferendeci, and the Faculty of Law coordinator, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Seher, the conference offered a three-day program featuring engaging lectures, in-depth analyses, and lively discussions.
On the first day, the conceptual and legal foundations of artificial intelligence were addressed. Prof. Dr. Ali Gökhan Yavuz opened the day with the lecture “What is Artificial Intelligence?” (Was ist Künstliche Intelligenz?), outlining the conceptual framework. Prof. Dr. Bertram Lomfeld discussed legal questions surrounding artificial intelligence in his lecture “Artificial Persons: Do We Need ‘AI Rights’?” (Künstliche Personen: Brauchen wir „Rechte der KI“?), while Prof. Dr. Gerhard Seher examined the legal classification of AI in his lecture “Can Artificial Intelligence Be a ‘Person’?” (Künstliche Personen: Brauchen wir „Rechte der KI“?). In the field of public law, Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok explored the use of AI in administrative acts and its potential consequences in his lecture “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Issuance of Administrative Acts – Errors and Their Consequences” (Die Verwendung Künstlicher Intelligenz beim Erlass von Verwaltungsakten – ein Fehler und seine Folgen), while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berke Özenç analyzed the effects of AI on freedom of expression and democratic processes in “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Processes” (Die Auswirkungen der Künstlichen Intelligenz auf die Meinungsfreiheit und demokratische Prozesse).
The second day focused on private law, particularly issues related to contracts, declarations of intent, and intellectual property. Prof. Dr. Olaf Muthorst discussed the role of generative AI in contract formation in “The Use of Generative AI in Contract Formation” (Der Einsatz generativer KI beim Vertragsschluss). Prof. Dr. Mesut Serdar Çekin critically examined traditional legal concepts in “The Impact of AI on the Doctrine of Legal Transactions – Should We Rethink the Concept of ‘Declaration of Intent’?” (Auswirkungen der KI auf die Rechtsgeschäftslehre – müssen wir den Begriff der „Willenserklärung“ überdenken?). Prof. Dr. Koray Demir addressed the protection of AI-generated creative works under intellectual property law in “Intellectual Property Protection for Creations of Artificial Intelligence?” (Immaterialgüterrechtlicher Schutz für Schöpfungen der Künstlichen Intelligenz?). The day concluded with Dr. Hannes Henke’s lecture on “Tort Liability in the Use of AI” (Außervertragliche Haftung beim Einsatz von KI).
On the final day, the focus shifted to criminal law. Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal Yıldız addressed the theoretical foundations of criminal liability for AI in “The Fundamentals of Criminal Responsibility of Artificial Intelligence” (Die Grundlagen der strafrechtlichen Verantwortlichkeit der KI). Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Çınar illustrated the practical assessment of AI’s criminal liability through notable case examples in “Some Noteworthy Practical Examples Regarding AI Criminality” (Einige bemerkenswerte Beispiele aus der Praxis zur Strafbarkeit der KI).
The discussions throughout the conference opened new perspectives for the legal evaluation of artificial intelligence. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration between law and technology and highlighted that AI raises not only technical but also legal and ethical questions. This topic is expected to remain at the center of scientific and societal debates in the near future.
On the first day, the conceptual and legal foundations of artificial intelligence were addressed. Prof. Dr. Ali Gökhan Yavuz opened the day with the lecture “What is Artificial Intelligence?” (Was ist Künstliche Intelligenz?), outlining the conceptual framework. Prof. Dr. Bertram Lomfeld discussed legal questions surrounding artificial intelligence in his lecture “Artificial Persons: Do We Need ‘AI Rights’?” (Künstliche Personen: Brauchen wir „Rechte der KI“?), while Prof. Dr. Gerhard Seher examined the legal classification of AI in his lecture “Can Artificial Intelligence Be a ‘Person’?” (Künstliche Personen: Brauchen wir „Rechte der KI“?). In the field of public law, Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok explored the use of AI in administrative acts and its potential consequences in his lecture “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Issuance of Administrative Acts – Errors and Their Consequences” (Die Verwendung Künstlicher Intelligenz beim Erlass von Verwaltungsakten – ein Fehler und seine Folgen), while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berke Özenç analyzed the effects of AI on freedom of expression and democratic processes in “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Processes” (Die Auswirkungen der Künstlichen Intelligenz auf die Meinungsfreiheit und demokratische Prozesse).
The second day focused on private law, particularly issues related to contracts, declarations of intent, and intellectual property. Prof. Dr. Olaf Muthorst discussed the role of generative AI in contract formation in “The Use of Generative AI in Contract Formation” (Der Einsatz generativer KI beim Vertragsschluss). Prof. Dr. Mesut Serdar Çekin critically examined traditional legal concepts in “The Impact of AI on the Doctrine of Legal Transactions – Should We Rethink the Concept of ‘Declaration of Intent’?” (Auswirkungen der KI auf die Rechtsgeschäftslehre – müssen wir den Begriff der „Willenserklärung“ überdenken?). Prof. Dr. Koray Demir addressed the protection of AI-generated creative works under intellectual property law in “Intellectual Property Protection for Creations of Artificial Intelligence?” (Immaterialgüterrechtlicher Schutz für Schöpfungen der Künstlichen Intelligenz?). The day concluded with Dr. Hannes Henke’s lecture on “Tort Liability in the Use of AI” (Außervertragliche Haftung beim Einsatz von KI).
On the final day, the focus shifted to criminal law. Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal Yıldız addressed the theoretical foundations of criminal liability for AI in “The Fundamentals of Criminal Responsibility of Artificial Intelligence” (Die Grundlagen der strafrechtlichen Verantwortlichkeit der KI). Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Çınar illustrated the practical assessment of AI’s criminal liability through notable case examples in “Some Noteworthy Practical Examples Regarding AI Criminality” (Einige bemerkenswerte Beispiele aus der Praxis zur Strafbarkeit der KI).
The discussions throughout the conference opened new perspectives for the legal evaluation of artificial intelligence. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration between law and technology and highlighted that AI raises not only technical but also legal and ethical questions. This topic is expected to remain at the center of scientific and societal debates in the near future.
