Insights from the Italian Data Protection Authority: AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Protection
The McGill School of Continuing Studies invites you to an exclusive in-person discussion featuring a distinguished delegation from the Autorità Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Italian Data Protection Authority - IDPA). Following their participation in the G7 Data Protection and Privacy Authorities Roundtable on June 18-19, 2025, in Ottawa, the delegation will share the meeting's outcomes. The IDPA will also present the evolving role of data protection authorities in AI governance, as well as insights into ethical uses of health data, healthcare innovation, the role of AI in medical research, as well as issues related to cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the importance of digital civic education.
Founded in 1997, the Italian Data Protection Authority is an independent body tasked with safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms related to personal data processing. Operating under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Italy’s national privacy laws, the IDPA plays a pivotal role in shaping data protection policy, enforcing compliance, and promoting public awareness across sectors. The Authority also contributes to international data governance through its participation in EU and global regulatory frameworks.
This seminar will feature three members of the IDPA Board, who will share their expertise on pressing issues at the intersection of privacy, technology, and regulation: Prof. Pasquale Stanzione, President, Prof. Ginevra Cerrina Feroni, Vice President, and Agostino Ghiglia, Commissioner.
The event will be conducted bilingually in French and English, and will conclude with a Q&A session, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.
Light refreshments will be served.
Registration is required, and spots are limited.
Pasquale Stanzione
President, Italian Data Protection Authority
Pasquale Stanzione has been the President of the Italian Data Protection Authority (Autorità Garante per la protezione dei dati personali), since 2020.
After graduating in Law (cum laude) in 1968 from ‘Federico II’ University of Naples, Italy, Prof. Stanzione held the position of Full Professor of Private Law at the University of Salerno for more than 40 years, where served as Dean of the Law Faculty and chaired the Civil Law Department.
As a lawyer, he was admitted to practice before the Italian Court of Cassation and was appointed as a member of the Chairing Board of Administrative Judges. He is a member of the Société de législation comparée.
Prof. Stanzione has authored over 200 books and scientific papers and has coordinated several research projects in Italy and abroad. He contributes regularly to leading scientific journals.
In 2021, he was awarded the ‘Knight Grand Cross’, Italy’s highest honour, by the President of the Italian Republic.
Ginevra Cerrina Feroni
Vice President, Italian Data Protection Authority
Full Professor of Comparative Public Law at the Department of Legal Studies, University of Florence. Law attorney (since 1996), enrolled in the Florence Bar Association.
Fellow, UC Berkeley Law (since 2013) – University of California. Member of the Scientific Committee of the Journal of Comparative European and Public Law (Class A – leading academic journal).
Graduated in Constitutional Law from the Law Faculty of the University of Florence (final mark: 110/110 cum laude). PhD in Constitutional Justice and International Protection of Human Rights from the University of Pisa (final mark of 100/100 cum laude). Since 2014, Vice-President of the Foundation Cesifin “Alberto Predieri” (Financial Institutions Research Centre) and scientific coordinator of the conferences organized by the Foundation in the field of Public Law. Member of the Italian Association of Constitutionalists.
Vice-President of the National Executive of the Italian Association of Comparative and European Public Law for two mandates (2009-2015).Adjunct professor of Public Law at the “Luigi Bocconi” University, Milan (2017-2018; 2016-2017; 2015-2016; 2008-2009 e 2006-2007).
Her areas of research include data protection; artificial intelligence; freedom of speech; constitutional justice; multicultural societies; sustainable development (in particular waste management, renewable energy, environment and food); health (national healthcare systems and public-private relations in health); cultural heritage (museums, theaters); public economic law (protection of savings, banking foundations, project financing, and securitization).
Agostino Ghiglia
Commissioner, Italian Data Protection Authority
Expert in data protection, digital governance and technological innovation. Journalist, former Deputy of the Italian Parliament and former Councillor of Piemonte regional government (in the north-west Italy).
Graduated in Law, with a Master's degree in Health Law, Agostino Ghiglia is currently a Commissioner of the Board of the Italian Data Protection Authority.
He has a passion and expertise for issues of digital transformation, technological regulation, and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on the protection of fundamental rights in the information age—starting with the protection of minors online and digital civic education.
He has held top management positions in several companies operating in the fields of professional training, business consulting, digital innovation, cybersecurity, environment, and energy. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Information Law Portal and Advisor for Legislative Relations at the Italy-USA Foundation.
Author of essays and articles on privacy, artificial intelligence and digital ethics, he has published among others: Educazione civica digitale. Abbecedario essenziale (Digital civic education. Essential Primer) (2023); ABC di Digitopoli (2024 with Massimo Missiroli) and edited the book La Protezione dati. Per 25 anni il compasso del futuro (Data Protection. The Compass of the Future for 25 Years, 2022).
He participates in national and international conferences on cybersecurity, data governance and technology regulation, actively contributing to the debate on the challenges, opportunities, responsibilities and awareness arising from the adoption of emerging technologies.
His contributions and analyses are published in national and specialized publications, helping to raise awareness on data protection and digital security issues.