About this site

Hello, dear reader, and welcome to AI, Law, and Otter Things! This is an independent publication launched in July 2021 by Marco Almada. Here, I write semi-regularly on topics that capture my attention, which usually means some mixture of comments on regulation, European Union law, artificial intelligence, football (not the US kind), and Warhammer 40,000. And, of course, as the title promises, there are always some mustelids involved. Any opinions are strictly personal and do not reflect the positions of my employers or coauthors—or, for that matter, of any otters.

Who is the author?

I’m Marco Almada, a postdoctoral researcher in cyber policy at the University of Luxembourg. My research focuses on the regulation of artificial intelligence, drawing from the period I spent as a data scientist before deciding to study law. Beyond this core topic, I’m also interested in various legal and technological questions. My Google Scholar page can provide an overview of what topics I’ve worked on, and I tend to speak a lot about works in progress in the newsletter.

When not working, I enjoy reading (often, but not solely, science fiction) and watching football (I'm a Bayern Munich supporter). As the name of this newsletter suggests, I am also very interested in otters and their conservation. Last but not least, I used to game a lot more than I do nowadays, but I still hold the faint hope of finding a group to play tabletop RPGs, something I haven't done in a long while.

Why should I subscribe?

This newsletter is free and will remain so for the foreseeable future. This means that the only advantage you get by subscribing is to receive the posts straight to your inbox instead of having to check the website or come across somebody (likely me) sharing it on social media. Still, your subscription is very much appreciated, as it helps me know I'm not just speaking to the void. On that note, please don't hesitate to reach out and keep the conversation going!