Mag. Dr. Stefan-Michael Wedenig
Affiliations
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Law
Contact information
Phone number
Office: 403.220.3426
Location
Office: MFH 4344
For media enquiries, contact
Kristen Thompson
Senior Manager, Communications
Faculty of Law
kristen.thompson@ucalgary.ca
O: 403.210.8720
Preferred method of communication
Background
Educational Background
DCL McGill University,
LLM McGill University,
Magister Iuris Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria,
Biography
Mag. Dr. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, LL.M, D.C.L, FRAeS is an Assistant Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. Prior to joining the University of Calgary, Dr. Wedenig served as the Executive Director of the Institute and Centre for Research in Air and Space Law at McGill University, as well as an Assistant Professor (Professional) at the Faculty of Law of McGill University. He holds a Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from McGill University, a Magister Iuris (Mag.iur.) from Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Member of the International Institute of Space Law
His current research focuses on the international responsibility of States for space activities involving artificial intelligence (AI), exploring the interactions between AI and public international law, extra-contractual liability, torts and the adaptability of current legal frameworks to new technologies.
He explores the complex interactions between advanced AI systems and multiple branches of public international law, focusing on areas such as State responsibility and liability, alongside private international law (choice of law and jurisdiction), extra-contractual liability, and torts.
A key aspect of his work is analyzing whether existing legal frameworks—originally designed for traditional human-operated activities—are sufficiently adaptable and robust to account for the unique risks, uncertainties, and legal challenges posed by rapidly developing technologies. Prof. Wedenig’s research also investigates the extent to which international law and national legal systems can accommodate novel scenarios, such as attribution of liability for decisions made by autonomous AI agents, the management of AI-induced accidents or malfunctions in aerospace, and the implications for sovereignty, risk management, and jurisdiction.
He has been a core member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) Working Group on Legal Aspects of AI in Space, co-authoring a widely recognized international report on AI regulation in space, presented at major conferences and bodies such as UNCOPUOS, ESOC, ITU, and the Space Symposium in 2025.
Beyond his primary research he also explores topics in aviation finance and urban air mobility.
Research
Areas of Research
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Law 403 | Legislation | Fall 2026 |
| Law 549 | International Law | Fall 2026 |
| Law 693 | Principles of Air and Space Law | Winter 2027 |
Awards
- Erin J C Arsenault Fellowship,
- George S & Anne K. Robinson Space Law Prize,
- Nicolas M. Matte Prize,
- R.E. Morrow Fellowship,
- McDonald Chair Graduate Award,
- Nicolas M. Matte Fellowship,
- GREAT Award,
- Graduate Excellence Award,
Publications
- Artificial Intelligence in Outer Space: The Responsibility of the State of the Software Developer Under Article VI Outer Space Treaty. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Jack Wright Nelson. IISL Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space. (2024)
- The Liability of States for Narrow AI in Space Applications: Some Preliminary . Stefan-Michael Wedenig. 73:2 German Journal of Air and Space Law. (2024)
- The Actions of the Russian Federation and their Impact on the Chicago and Cape Town Convention – An Analysis. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Donal Patrick Hanley. 71:3 German Journal of Air and Space Law. (2022)
- Air – Rail Alliances in the Context of Liability and Environmental Protection: Selected Legal Issues. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. 2:1 McGill Research Series. (2022)
- The Regulation of Drones in the Context of Aviation Finance: Selected Legal Issues. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. 46 Annals of Air and Space Law. (2021)
- Article 45. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. in Commentary to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944, Steven Truxal, ed, (Leiden) [forthcoming].
- Article 46. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. in Commentary to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944, Steven Truxal, ed, (Leiden) [forthcoming].
- The International Responsibility of States for AI-enabled Space Activities. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. Space Regulations Library (Springer). (2025)
- Balancing Innovation and Responsibility: International Recommendations for AI Regulation in Space. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Tuana Yazici, Anne-Sophie Martin, Steven Wood, Lisa Kucher, Roser Almenar, Laura Yvonne Zielinsk, Giovanni Tricco. International Institute of Space Law. (2024)
- The Moon Agreement: Hanging by a Thread?. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Jack Wright Nelson. IASL Commentaries on Air and Space Law (republished in McGill SGI Research Papers in Business, Finance, Law and Society). (2023)
- Artificial Intelligence in Outer Space: The Responsibility of the State of the Software Developer. Stefan-Michael Wedenig. IASL Commentaries on Air and Space Law (republished in McGill SGI Research Papers in Business, Finance, Law and Society). (2023)
- On Reports of Potential Reregistration of Aircraft in Breach of the 1944 Chicago Convention. Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Donal Patrick Hanley. IASL Commentaries on Air and Space Law (republished in McGill SGI Research Papers in Business, Finance, Law and Society) (with Donal Patrick Hanley). (2022)
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