Associate Professor of Law at Peking University, researching how digital technologies reshape democratic governance. Advising policymakers and organizations on AI regulation and platform governance across the EU, US, and Asia-Pacific.
Gilad Abiri is an Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Program on Law and Innovation at Peking University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen, China. His research explores the constitutional and democratic implications of digital technologies — from AI systems to social media platforms — with particular attention to the epistemic foundations of self-governance.
His scholarship has appeared in the Georgia Law Review, Michigan Technology Law Review, Columbia Journal of Transnational Law, Stanford Technology Law Review, BYU Law Review, Notre Dame Journal of International and Comparative Law, Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, and other leading journals. He co-edited the Yale ISP collection on "Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Public Sphere" and contributes commentary to Verfassungsblog and the South China Morning Post.
Before joining PKU STL, Abiri was a Global Postdoctoral Fellow at NYU Law School's Center for Law and Philosophy and a Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School, where he co-taught Modern Constitutional Theory with Professor Paul Kahn. He holds a J.S.D. and LL.M. from Yale Law School, and an LL.M. summa cum laude from Tel Aviv University, where he was a graduate of the Adi Lautman Interdisciplinary Program for Outstanding Students. His doctoral dissertation examined the structural rivalry between liberal constitutional states and religious communities.
Exploring how digital technologies reshape the foundations of democratic governance, constitutional order, and regulatory capacity.
How digital technologies create asymmetries in collective knowledge formation that undermine the epistemic foundations of democratic self-governance. Developed with Johannes Buchheim and published in the Michigan Technology Law Review.
A framework for embedding democratic legitimacy principles — not just alignment — into AI governance. Critiques privately developed AI constitutions and proposes public involvement in their drafting. Published in the Georgia Law Review.
Analyzing the competitive dynamics driving the US and China toward regulatory forbearance in AI governance, and the phenomenon of "Regulation Sacrifice" — the belief that dismantling safety oversight delivers security through AI dominance.
A multi-paper research program examining the legitimation crisis facing global platforms, the emerging "Platform Federation," and the clash of American and European free speech norms in content moderation. With Sebastian Guidi.
Peer-reviewed articles, essays, and commentary in leading law reviews and academic journals.
26 Stan. Tech. L. Rev. 51 (2023)
29 Mich. Tech. L. Rev. 59 (2022)
125 Penn St. L. Rev. 95 (2020)
40 Pace L. Rev. 399 (2020)
in Regulating Religion in Asia 59 (Jaclyn L. Neo et al. eds., Cambridge Univ. Press 2019)
Co-editor, "AI and the Digital Public Sphere" (Yale ISP / Knight Foundation) · "The War in Ukraine, Fake News, and the Digital Epistemic Divide" (Verfassungsblog, 2022, with J. Buchheim) · "Tech Firms Must Play by the Rules" (South China Morning Post, 2024)
Conference presentations, keynotes, and invited lectures on AI governance, digital constitutionalism, and technology regulation.
2nd Comparative AI Law Workshop · EBS Law School, Oestrich-Winkel, Germany
OrganizerSMU–Fudan Global Forum 2025 · Shanghai
KeynoteICON-S Brasilia 2025 · Book Panel Commentary
PanelistUniversity of Graz · WU Vienna · Pompeu Fabra University · SMU · Kyoto University
Invited LecturesChina Law Symposium · Harvard Law School
PanelistBeijing Forum · Peking University
SpeakerPKU School of Transnational Law · Shenzhen
Co-OrganizerFreedom of Expression Scholars Conference · Yale Law School · Kobe University
PresenterFreedom of Expression Scholars Conference · Yale Law School
PresenterGraduate and JD-level courses at Peking University School of Transnational Law, Shenzhen.
The structure and limits of governmental power under the U.S. Constitution. Legislative and executive authority, state action doctrine, equal protection, free speech, and contemporary challenges at the intersection of technology and the First Amendment.
Comparative data protection regulation with emphasis on GDPR mechanics, cross-border data transfers, consent architectures, dark patterns, consent-or-pay models, and the intersection of privacy regulation with AI systems and training data.
Comparative regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence across the EU, US, and Asia. The EU AI Act, risk-based classification, liability regimes, generative AI governance, and the constitutional dimensions of AI-mediated speech.
Hands-on course combining legal analysis with innovation methodology. Students develop technology-informed solutions to real regulatory challenges through brainstorming sprints, prototyping, and client-facing presentations. Co-taught with Prof. Ray Campbell.
The legal landscape of digital platforms, content moderation, intermediary liability, algorithmic regulation, and the governance challenges posed by global internet infrastructure.
Advanced seminar on contemporary constitutional theory. Co-taught with Professor Paul Kahn at Yale Law School, examining legitimacy, sovereignty, and the conceptual foundations of constitutional order.
Drawing on a decade of research into AI regulation, platform governance, and digital constitutionalism, I am available for select advisory and speaking engagements.
Guidance on AI governance, data privacy, and platform regulation across the EU, US, and Asia-Pacific.
Conference keynotes, panel discussions, and invited lectures on AI regulation and digital constitutionalism.
Expert opinions on the constitutional and regulatory dimensions of digital technology.
Open to research collaborations and joint projects at the intersection of law, technology, and governance.
For speaking invitations, advisory engagements, academic collaboration, or other inquiries, please reach out by email.
gilad@abiri.net