Karin Tafur | Bio

A pioneering voice in the AI field, Karin Tafur's contributions to advancing AI policies that align with fundamental rights, the rule of law, and democratic values are driven by her expertise, research, advocacy, and proven ability to navigate the complexities of AI with clarity and strategic insight.

Contributions to Advancing Trustworthy AI and Responsible Innovation

1. Advocacy for the Responsible Development and Deployment of AI

Since 2018, Karin Tafur has been an early advocate for the ethical and responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence.

Through public commentaries, speaking engagements, and published articles, she has proactively raised awareness of the societal risks of AI and called for effective governance frameworks that prioritize human rights, safety, and accountability, emphasizing that respecting these principles is essential to establishing public trust in AI and creating sustainable competitive advantages in the innovation sector.

This commitment is reflected in her published work, including:

¡Los conejillos de indias de la educación: La Inteligencia Artificial en el sistema educativo!: Karin explored the potential risks of using AI in education, emphasizing the need to safeguard students from becoming experimental subjects in unregulated AI-driven educational tools. Access the publication here.

¡La Inteligencia Artificial y sus "Bias" en el Sistema de Justicia!: She explained the dangers of algorithmic bias in the justice system, advocating for fairness and accountability in AI applications that affect legal outcomes. Learn more here.

"El asesino silencioso del ‘Movimiento Me Too" (o la discriminación automatizada de la tecnología predictiva): Karin emphasized the serious risks posed by predictive technologies, which can silently undermine the progress of social justice movements like Me Too by perpetuating automated discrimination. She pointed out how unchecked algorithmic bias can reinforce existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women and other unrepresented groups, and stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and fairness in the development and use of AI systems. Learn more here.

2. AI Regulation Expertise:

Karin is a recognized expert on AI regulation in the European Union. She is the author of:

AI Act: Five Key Insights for Navigating AI Regulation in Europe (Human-technology-Foundation, France, 2024) – This publication offers strategic guidance for stakeholders on implementing the EU AI Act, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and the protection of fundamental rights. Access the publication here.

EU AI Obligations for GPAI Providers: Compliance, Enforcement & Deadlines (2025–2027) (Medialaws, Italy, 2025) – This work provides a comprehensive overview of compliance requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and timelines under the EU AI Act, tailored specifically for general-purpose AI (GPAI) providers. Access the publication here.

3. Educational and Industry-Specific Contributions:

In "Generative AI for Financial and Legal Industries" (Thomson Reuters, UK, 2023), Karin coauthored an article that examines the challenges and opportunities of generative AI in industries where ethical compliance is paramount. Learn more here.

Karin teaches Responsible AI at leading technical institutions, equipping future leaders with the tools and knowledge to integrate ethical principles and regulatory standards for the responsible development and use of AI.

Founder & Lead Trainer, AI Literacy Program – Europe & International
Karin leads a team of trainers and designs tailored corporate AI training programs delivered across Europe and internationally, in both English and Spanish. These programs are customized based on the specific needs of each organization and cover a range of topics, including: AI skills for productivity and responsible use, AI awareness, AI literacy, AI governance, the EU AI Act, and the geopolitical and/or business dimensions of AI adoption. Learn more here.

4. Interdisciplinary Research and Accessible Policy Development:

Karin’s contribution as coauthor of the book "Ethical, Legal, and Technological Challenges of Digital Advancement" (IUSTEL, 2023), published in Spanish, showcases her interdisciplinary approach to understanding the societal impacts of digital technologies. In her chapter, "La inteligencia Artificial y la discriminación automatizada," co-written with Anthony Novaes, she examines systemic AI-driven discrimination, with a particular focus on how it disproportionately affects women in key areas such as the workplace, finance, healthcare, the AI ecosystem, and insurance. Learn more here.

Karin directed, edited, and coauthored the book "Legal Design" (Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, 2022), a Spanish-language publication focused on making legal and technological frameworks more accessible and inclusive, particularly in Spain and Latin America. This work bridges complex legal concepts with practical usability, fostering clarity and innovation in the field. Learn more here.

5. Scientific and Policy Contributions:

In her co-authored article "On Assessing Trustworthy AI in Healthcare" (Frontiers, 2021), led by Professor Roberto Zicari, the article addresses the ethical deployment of AI in critical healthcare scenarios, advocating for transparency, trustworthiness, and accountability in AI applications. Access the publication here.

In the co-authored policy paper “Promoting and Advancing Human Rights in Global AI Ecosystems” (ResearchGate, 2025), Karin was invited to contribute alongside over 50 international experts from institutions including the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the TUM Think Tank, LMU Munich, and the Global AI Ethics Consortium. The paper proposes a binding international framework to align AI with human rights law and was later presented at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Access the publication here.

6. Awards, Grants, and Recognitions for Excellence:

Karin’s expertise in ethical AI was recognized with the EU Next Generation Grant (Spain, 2022) for her article on AI research, analyzing the systemic risks of unregulated AI development and its potential to perpetuate discrimination against women and other underrepresented communities.

Inter-American Development Bank – Sep 2022
Expert Evaluator, Gender and Artificial Intelligence Proposals
Invited to evaluate proposals on Gender and AI as part of the Call for Proposals by the Inter-American Development Bank LAB.

Harvard Law School – Summer Course in Law & Economics
John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business – USA
Issued by Rafael Del Pino Foundation – Selected from top Spanish students for the prestigious Summer Course in Law & Economics at Harvard Law School.

7. Karin Tafur - Speaker | Responsible AI Policy & EU Regulation

Karin is regularly invited to speak at international forums and events, including UNESCO and universities across Europe, the US, and Latin America. She addresses key topics such as AI ethics, algorithmic bias, AI literacy, the EU AI Act, and related issues. Her presentations contribute to ongoing discussions on responsible AI and evolving regulatory frameworks across France, Italy, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and the US.

8. Promoting Trustworthy and Ethical AI Practices on a Global Scale:

As part of her commitment to responsible AI, Karin Tafur is a member of Z-Inspection® (2018), a globally recognized initiative dedicated to evaluating the trustworthiness of AI systems. Z-Inspection® employs a transdisciplinary approach to ensure that AI applications adhere to ethical principles, including fairness, accountability, transparency, and societal impact. Through her work with Z-Inspection®, Karin contributes to rigorous assessments that help ensure AI systems are not only technically robust but also socially responsible and aligned with human rights. Learn more here.

9. Independent Expert on AI Law & Ethics for International Organizations

As an independent AI expert for the European Research Council, Karin contributes to evaluating and advancing cutting-edge AI research across Europe, ensuring alignment with European values, ethical principles, policies, and regulations. Learn more here.

As an Independent Expert in Responsible AI Governance of AI for the Inter-American Development Bank, Karin performs comprehensive analyses of policies and regulations, translating them into actionable recommendations. She focuses on standards and industry best practices for early-stage AI projects in the IDB Group’s Innovation Lab/portfolio. Learn more here.

Expert Contributor to AI Standards Development – CEN and CENELEC JTC 21 - Karin contributes as an expert to Joint Technical Committee 21 (CEN-CLC/JTC 21), established by CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization). JTC 21 is tasked with contributing to the development of harmonized European standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI), in response to a standardization request issued under the EU AI Act. These standards are intended to provide a technical framework that can support a presumption of conformity with the AI Act's requirements, helping providers and manufacturers demonstrate compliance within the EU regulatory framework. Learn more here.

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