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Karen Sandoval

Publications & Research

A selection of my academic work & public interventions around law, AI & fundamental rights.

Conferences & Seminars•Bordeaux, France

Does the Algorithm Have a Gender? Federalism, Automated Discrimination: Towards a Feminist Epistemology of Administrative Law

This presentation examines the presumed neutrality of automated public decision-making systems. Through the lens of comparative constitutional law and federal dynamics, it analyzes how algorithmic tools can replicate and solidify gender stereotypes, arguing for a feminist epistemological renewal of administrative law.
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May 2026
Conferences & Seminars•Brussels, Belgium

Feminist Approaches to Law: Francophone Perspectives

Presentation focused on critical legal theories and feminist approaches within the Francophone sphere. The discussion centers on deconstructing technological standards and re-evaluating fundamental rights protections amidst widespread AI deployments.
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April 2026
Articles•SRIEL – Swiss Review of International and European Law

David v. Goliath in the Digital Age: Safeguarding Women's Rights from AI's Power

This doctrinal article examines the confrontation between international human rights frameworks (specifically the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW) and the immense economic and technological leverage of transnational corporations deploying Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS). The research analyzes the critical threats posed by AI to equality and non-discrimination: - **Indirect discrimination** stemming from the systemic underrepresentation and exclusion of women across the AI value chain; - **Direct discrimination** emerging during deployment through data, cognitive, and algorithmic biases with severe intersectional impacts; - **Emerging digital harms**, including online harassment, non-consensual image and deepfake manipulation, and intrusive surveillance of reproductive autonomy. While framing CEDAW as a "living instrument" (highlighting initiatives such as General Recommendation No. 40), the paper underscores the shortcomings of existing programmatic standards when confronted with technical complexities (fairness benchmarks, dataset transparency, trade secrecy, and extraterritorial enforcement). The author advocates for a dedicated CEDAW General Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence to define State due diligence obligations and establish direct human rights accountability for tech conglomerates.
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March 2026
Conferences & Seminars•Université d’Ottawa, Canada

My privacy, my rules, Femtechs, let's talk about it?

During this intervention, I addressed the issues of digital sovereignty and personal data protection in the Femtech sector. The objective was to raise awareness about the collection mechanisms of sensitive data related to reproductive health.
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February 2026
Conferences & Seminars•University of Geneva, Switzerland

Towards a Tripartite Governance for AI and Human Rights (World Knowledge Dialogue)

Presentation delivered at the World Knowledge Dialogue (Triangle Azur) analyzing the necessity of tripartite governance for AI and human rights. Confronted with the limits of traditional multilateralism and the influence of private tech conglomerates, the talk proposes direct human rights compliance obligations for tech firms to safeguard the global digital space.
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January 2026
Media & Impact•Radio-Canada (Podcast)

Beware of apps related to women's health

Podcast intervention to discuss the vigilance necessary in the face of the proliferation of Femtech applications. I explain the privacy issues and precautions to be taken by citizens.
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January 2026
Conferences & Seminars•Université d’Ottawa, Canada

Social and feminist issues of artificial intelligence

Conference exploring the social and legal repercussions of AI through a feminist perspective. The analysis focuses on how these systems can reproduce and amplify pre-existing gender inequalities, serving as a reminder that no tool is ever neutral.
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February 2025
Conferences & Seminars•Canada

Committee Member of the 7th edition of the Young Researchers in Law and Digital Meeting

Member of the organizing and scientific committee for this 7th edition. Active participation in the end-to-end management of this conference: from defining the scientific focus ("Law, Digital and Liberties") to logistical planning, communication strategy deployment, and the rigorous selection of panelists. Editorial coordination also provided for the publication of the conference proceedings in a special edition.
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September 2024
Theses•University of Montreal (UdeM)

PhD Thesis Defense: « Des IA, des femmes et des droits »

This defense marked the culmination of my doctoral research at the University of Montreal. My thesis analyzes how AI, as a "total social fact," can erase women and violate their rights to equality (education, work, health). I propose a binding international framework including a dedicated UN institution, a foundation promoting Open Source/Open Data, and a framework convention to regulate the tech industry. I warmly thank the jury members, who praised the rigor of this work by awarding me the distinction of "Excellent." Commitment, perseverance, and passion guided this project to its successful completion.
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April 2024
Media & Impact•University of Montreal (UdeM)

A World in Motion

My Master's thesis was officially recognized by the Faculty of Law as a featured research project of excellence. This work analyzes the underlying forces driving the mutation of law today, offering a critical vision of the necessary transformations of the international legal order to meet the challenges of a world in motion.
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October 2021