Frank Pasquale

Professor of Law

Law and TechnologyHealth LawInformation PrivacyAdministrative Law

Frank Pasquale is Professor of Law at Cornell Law School and Cornell Tech, where he is a leading scholar on how artificial intelligence and machine learning processes relate to the law. He is the author of two influential books published by Harvard University Press: The Black Box Society and New Laws of Robotics. Ranked the third most-cited U.S. legal scholar in law and technology, he has served on the U.S. National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee and the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics. He is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School, and was a Marshall Scholar at Oxford.

Teaching Style

Professor Pasquale brings a policy-oriented approach to his teaching, frequently using the Socratic method to explore how emerging technologies challenge existing legal frameworks. He cold-calls students and expects them to engage critically with the social implications of algorithmic decision-making. His classes blend doctrinal analysis with interdisciplinary perspectives from computer science, economics, and social theory, and he pushes students to think about regulatory solutions to technology-driven problems.

Cold Call Tips

  1. 1Stay current on AI regulation news and major technology policy developments
  2. 2Be prepared to discuss both the technical and legal dimensions of algorithmic accountability
  3. 3Read his books The Black Box Society and New Laws of Robotics for insight into his analytical framework
  4. 4Think critically about the power dynamics between technology platforms, governments, and individuals

Areas of Expertise

Artificial intelligence and lawPlatform regulationHealth information privacyAlgorithmic accountabilityTechnology policy

Education

  • J.D., Yale Law School
  • B.A., Harvard University (summa cum laude)
  • Marshall Scholar, Oxford University

Notable Publications

  • The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information (Harvard University Press)
  • New Laws of Robotics: Defending Human Expertise in the Age of AI (Harvard University Press)

Research Interests

AI governance and algorithmic accountabilityPlatform regulation and digital marketsHealth information technology and privacyAutomation and the future of professional expertiseSurveillance capitalism and data ethics

More Professors at Cornell Law School

Prepare for Frank Pasquale's Class

Use Gunner Mode to practice cold calls, get AI case briefs for assigned readings, and build flashcards. 3-day free trial, then $9.99/month.

Explore More Study Resources