News

The additive manufacturing industry, commonly known as 3D printing, is at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, incorporating technological advances that include generative artificial intelligence and multi-modal interfaces. Not only will these innovations transform industrial production, but also design paradigms and product customization. Such advances also raise unprecedented legal challenges regarding the right to repair and the issue of programmed obsolescence, among others.

As a fundamental right of consumers, parts repair faces considerable obstacles at a time when products become increasingly complex and interdependent on technological know-how. Programmed obsolescence, a controversial practice in which products are designed for a limited lifespan, continues to be a significant concern in this context. Could the emergence of generative artificial intelligence and multi-modal interfaces exacerbate this phenomenon or, on the contrary, offer new solutions that favour sustainability and the right to repair?

Benoit Yelle and Gaspard Petit will address these issues on March 14, as part of a webinar organized by the Carrefour québécois de la fabrication additive (CQFA) and Lavery, in an effort to explore the legal implications of these disruptive technologies in the additive manufacturing sector. We will analyze the current challenges posed by programmed obsolescence, examine recent legislative and jurisprudential developments, and consider future prospects in the light of consumer protection principles.

Join us for an enlightening discussion that promises to deepen your understanding of the legal and ethical issues that appear at the convergence of technological innovation and consumer rights. It is a unique opportunity for legal professionals, engineers, product designers and policymakers to grasp the implications of these developments and help shape a future where technology and social responsibility go hand in hand.

When? March 14, 2024, from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Where? Online

Fee: Free of charge

Subscription: f.charreteur@cqfa.quebec

A login link will be sent to you a few days before the webinar.

This text has been translated from an original text composed by a generative artificial intelligence application.