Aida Ponce Del Castillo

I am a legal scholar with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of law, science and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

I am involved in policy and regulatory discussions on technology and AI at the EU, OECD and national level, in Belgium, where I am involved in the implementation of the National Convergence Plan for the Development of AI.

I am a member of several expert groups, including two OECD Working Parties, which focus respectively on "AI Governance" and "Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies".

I am also a trained foresight practitioner. I designed and co-led a foresight project for the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). I regularly deliver training courses to trade union organisations across the EU, and help them plan strategically for technological change.

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Published Books & Book chapters

Algorithmic management in Europe: from key features to governance and beyond

In today’s increasingly digitalised workplaces, automated systems orchestrate and monitor tasks, measure performance, and even steer careers, often with little clarity on how they do so. Professionals in almost all sectors can unexpectedly be rated negatively and lose their chances of promotion and professional development. Arbitrary automated decisions can be taken that severely disrupt livelihoods, underscoring the need for a more transparent governance of systems contributing to algorithmic management. (...) Read the full article at 'FEPS Europe'

The EU’s AI Act: Governing through uncertainty and complexity, identifying opportunities for action

Formally adopted by the Council of the EU in May 2024, the AI Act aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Single Market, while ensuring the protection of health, safety, and fundamental rights. This comprehensive regulation impacts a wide range of stakeholders including manufacturers, deployers, providers of AI models and systems, who must inventory their AI systems and comply with the legal requirements. (...) Read the full article at 'Global Workplace Law and Policy'

The Missing Link in Europe's AI Strategy

Europe can become a global leader in artificial intelligence, but only if it protects its citizens and involves workers in the regulatory and deployment process. In that regard, the European Commission’s recent draft regulation leaves much to be desired. (...) Read the full article at 'Project Syndicate'

China’s DeepSeek Is Changing the AI Race: What is Europe’s Edge?

DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough challenges US dominance, disrupts global competition, and raises urgent policy questions for Europe. (...) Read the full article on 'Social Europe'

Artificial intelligence, labour and society

Edited by Aida Ponce Del Castillo, published by ETUI (2024)

Organised in 20 chapters, the book examines the power dynamics of technological evolution and governance, explores AI’s relationship with the environment and tackles the crucial issue of AI’s impact on the labour market, working conditions and labour standards. Its fundamental goal is to prompt readers to transcend the narrow disciplinary perspectives associated with the silos within which we tend to work, introducing a range of novel and diverse academic viewpoints on AI and its challenges.

Read it here

The Cambridge Handbook of the Law, Ethics and Policy of Artificial Intelligence

Edited by Nathalie Smuha, published by Cambridge University Press (2025)

Chapter on "Artificial intelligence and labour law", by Aida Ponce Del Castillo and Simon Taes

The chapter addresses AI from a labour law perspective. The integration of AI into business models and workplaces has a profound impact on society, legal systems, and organizational structures. AI has become intrinsically connected to the very concept of work and worker, the assignment of jobs, the measurement of performance and the evaluation of tasks, and to decisions related to disciplinary measures or dismissals. The objective of the chapter is to provide an overview of the multifaceted aspects of AI and labor law, focusing on the profound legal questions arising from this intersection, including its implications for employment relationships, the exercise of labor rights, and social dialogue.

Read it here

Recent publications: Articles

Memberships

Member of two OECD Working Parties: "AI Governance" and “Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies.

Featured in the 'List of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics'

Women make up nearly 50 percent of the global workforce but only account for a third of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. This lack of diversity perpetuates gender stereotypes and shows up as bias in AI systems. Since 2018, Women in AI Ethics has elevated the voices of experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds and showcased the role of diverse perspectives in responsible design and development of AI models and systems.