eLaw Summer School 2026: The EU Digital Omnibus - Streamlining Rules, Sacrificing Standards?

The EU Digital Omnibus – Streamlining Rules, Sacrificing Standards?

Programme
In November 2025 the EU Commission proposed the ‘Digital Omnibus’, as part of a wider digital package, to reform rules on personal data protection, non-personal data and cybersecurity regulation as well as key elements of the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act).
The Digital Omnibus aims to enhance the effectiveness of the EU’s digital laws, streamline administrative burdens on market actors, and foster innovation. How compatible is a simplification agenda with the fulfilment of fundamental rights, and where might streamlining risk a lowering of European standards? 
This edition of the eLaw Summer School will delve into critical questions such as:
- How is the advent of AI transforming legal, policy, and enforcement frameworks?
- How does nascent AI regulation interact with the evolving data protection framework and privacy case law? 
- What are the most relevant features, rules, opportunities, and challenges of the EU AI Act, both in the commercial field and in the (criminal) law enforcement sector?
- What challenges do Generative AI models pose under the GDPR, the AI Act, and online safety laws?
- How can organisations conduct a Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment under the AI Act and comply with high-risk AI system requirements?
- Does the AI Act, along with the enforcement of the EU digital rulebook (DSA), enhance user protection online – in particular that of minors?
- What are the policy dynamics, legal ‘nuts and bolts’, and likely impact of the proposed EU Digital Omnibus reforms?
- What are the implications of AI, in light of ongoing reforms, for enforcing EU digital market laws?
 

Duration and Structure
The programme spans five days from Monday June 22 to Friday June 26, filled with insightful sessions each morning and engaging workshop activities in the afternoon.
Each day will feature two eminent speakers in the morning, hailing from academia, institutions, and the private sector, offering a rich diversity of perspectives on the topics at hand. The afternoons will be dedicated to hands-on workshop activities, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios and engage in meaningful discussions.
The course is exclusive to max 45 participants, including 15 slots available for online attendees, ensuring an interactive and focused learning environment.

Programme Director
- Dr. Gavin Robinson, Assistant Professor in Criminal Law and Digital Technologies, Leiden University

Confirmed speakers (more speakers will be confirmed soon)
- Prof. Dr. Gloria González Fuster, Research Professor of Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

- Dr. Emanuele Parisini, European Data Protection Supervisor
- Sven Stevenson, Director of the Department of Algorithmic Oversight (DCA), Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP)
- Prof. Dr. Francien Dechesne, Endowed Professor, Data and AI for the Rule of Law, Tilburg University & Associate Professor of Ethics and Digital Technologies, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Simone van der Hof, Professor of Law and Digital Technology, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Bart Custers, Professor of Law and Data Science, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Bart Schermer, Professor of Privacy and Cybercrime, Leiden University
- Dr. Gianclaudio Malgieri, Associate Professor of Law and Technology, Leiden University

Target audience
This programme is tailored for individuals with a solid foundation in law and digital technologies seeking to deepen their understanding of the current and emerging regulatory frameworks in the EU. It is an excellent opportunity for professionals looking to stay at the forefront of digital law and policy.

Level
Specialization level: usually more than 3 years of practical experience in the relevant field; a high level of knowledge of the relevant field is recommended for participation

Remote attendance
A livestream for this summer school will be arranged. In case you are not able to join the summer school in person, you will be able to watch and ask your questions to the speakers during the summer school online. Also the livestream will be recorded and available to watch afterwards.
Please do select the option “online” when you register for the summer school.  
Please complete your payment before June 15 to attend the online summer school programme.

Course policy
The summer school will proceed when a sufficient number of participants register. 
The registration deadline is May 21st, 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
Cancellations made before May 21st will be fully refunded.  

Do you have any questions? 
We will gladly answer them.

E-mail: events@law.leidenuniv.nl 
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 8666 
All contact details  

More details on the programme will be announced soon. You can consult our 2025 programme for an overview of the topics and indicative schedule.