Law, Technology, and Society: A Global Perspective This theme explores the dynamic and often tense relationship between legal frameworks, technological innovation, and social norms on a worldwide scale. It examines how emerging technologies do not just change what we do, but redefine the very fabric of how societies function and how justice is administered. Key Dimensions: The Regulatory Gap: Analyzing the "pacing problem," where technological advancements (like AI, biotech, and fintech) outspeed the ability of legislatures to create relevant laws. Digital Sovereignty & Human Rights: Investigating how different regions (e.g., the EU’s focus on privacy vs. other models of state surveillance) impact individual freedoms and global data governance. Social Transformation: Assessing how technology shifts societal power structures, including issues of the digital divide, algorithmic bias, and the changing nature of work in the gig economy. Global Harmonization: The challenge of creating unified legal standards for borderless technologies like blockchain and the internet, while respecting diverse cultural and political values.