COLP 2023 : 2023 The 8th International Conference on Ocean Law & Policy-AI Impact on International Maritime Law

The College of Maritime Law and Policy was established in February 2015 as Taiwan's only law school focusing on the study of maritime law and policy. The college is dedicated to talent cultivation, research, and service in the fields of maritime law and policy, with a primary emphasis on Taiwan's comprehensive maritime legal and policy aspects. This includes maritime sovereignty, marine resources, marine environment, maritime security, maritime commercial affairs, and related legal and policy planning and promotion. These efforts reflect the uniqueness and professionalism of the maritime academic research conducted at our university.

The College of Maritime Law and Policy comprises the Institute of Maritime Law, the Bachelor's Degree Program (Department) in Maritime Law and Policy, and the Master's Degree Program (Institute) in Maritime Policy. Every year, the college organizes the "International Conference on Ocean Law & Policy," which explores the latest hot topics in maritime law and policy. Starting from the fifth edition, the conference expanded international participation by inviting experts and scholars from abroad to present their research via video conferencing. Papers presented at the conference undergo a double-blind peer review process and are compiled into specialized books, such as "Offshore Wind Power: Policies, Laws, Economics, and Risks" (2021, Yuan-Liou Publishing, ISBN: 978-957-511-537-1), "Policy and Law in the High-End Shipping Service Industry" (2022, Yuan-Liou Publishing, ISBN: 978-957-511-865-5), and "Cross-disciplinary Policies and Laws of Artificial Intelligence in Maritime Affairs" (2023, Yuan-Liou Publishing, ISBN: 978-626-369-076-9). These books showcase the academic quality and contributions of the conference papers, as well as the college's leadership and influence in maritime law and policy.

The current eighth edition of the conference continues this trajectory. Given the rapid advancements in AI technology in recent years and the heightened attention to related issues, the theme for this year's conference is "AI Impact on International Maritime Law." Recognizing AI's applications in marine science research, resource exploration, navigation safety, marine surveillance and enforcement, climate change prediction, and more, particularly in Taiwan's oceanic context, the conference addresses the potential novel legal issues arising from AI development. As AI's capabilities in deep learning, analysis, and cognition surpass human capacities, existing legal frameworks, norms, and conventions at international maritime organizations like the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and the Hague Conference on Private International Law may face challenges in accommodating AI-driven innovations. These include issues related to unmanned vessels' potential for accidents, illegal fishing, pollution, and smuggling, among others. As a result, alongside ethical and privacy concerns, AI's rise prompts the reevaluation of traditional liability criteria and attribution of responsibilities, potentially altering the landscape of tort, criminal, and administrative liabilities.

To address these evolving challenges, this conference provides a platform for collective thinking on legal issues and comprehensive exploration of the impact AI has on existing international maritime conventions. Through this, it seeks to propose insightful perspectives and solutions. The college actively forms alliances with overseas institutions related to maritime law and policy and is in the process of establishing "The International Forum for Ocean Law & Policy." This forum will regularly host international and domestic academic conferences, enhancing the college's international visibility and advocating for government attention to maritime law and policy. It aims to offer timely solutions for government responses to maritime affairs and solidify the college's position as a leader in the field of ocean law and policy. The inclusion of foreign scholars in this conference is an essential step in the establishment of the international forum.