Narratives, Frontier Technologies, and the Law

This introduction to the symposium Narratives, Frontier Technologies, and the Law investigates how narratives influence the governance of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, bioprinting, and neurotechnology. The authors argue that the law does more than just respond to these innovations; it actively creates and reshapes the narratives that define their paths. They claim that lawyers act as storytellers, using the law to legitimise specific technological paths while challenging or reinforcing existing power structures. As a result, the law both reflects and creates cultural anxieties. The authors hope that this symposium helps clarify the dynamic relationship between storytelling, legal regulation, and technological progress.