Artificial Intelligence and the Law

Module title	Artificial Intelligence and the Law
Module code	LAW3190
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Matthew Channon (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	120

Module description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently changing modern society at a rapid rate, from the way that we live our lives, to the way that we move and the way that we work. AI also has a significant effect in terms of the way in which legal disputes are conducted and the way financial transactions work. Law is also extremely important in terms of AI, and it is clear that there is significant interest in the ways in which law does and should work with AI.

For example, the Law Commission is currently undertaking two separate projects, first on the law of Automated Vehicles and the second on Smart Contracts, both of which are likely to require future reform and will require examination. In relation to AI and the law of autonomous transport, the module will explore the ways in which AI will impact the use of vehicles (autonomous or connected) as well as ships and drones. There are further issues in relation to Intellectual property law which will require further exploration in future legislation. Moreover, this module will examine AI and finance.

This module seeks to provide you with detailed and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Artificial Intelligence, the legal challenges and its role in society. It seeks to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of where the law is currently, and any potential challenges as well as law reform.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to provide you with a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the legal challenges related to Artificial Intelligence, with particular emphasis on the UK as well as current international agreements. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge surrounding how AI works and its role in society.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and its role in society;
2. demonstrate a detailed and systematic knowledge of some of the key legal challenges and potential solutions surrounding the Law and Artificial Intelligence.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. demonstrate detailed and comprehensive understanding of the operation of the complex web of law, international and UK, on Artificial Intelligence;
4. demonstrate flexible and innovative ability to analyse legal challenges relating AI and solutions to these challenges.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. communicate and engage in debate about key legal concepts effectively, confidently and autonomously, in a manner appropriate to both legal and market audiences;
6. manage relevant learning resources, learning strategies and your own time confidently and independently, and develop your own arguments and opinions at a professional level.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content and order of syllabus coverage may vary, it is envisaged that it will include the following topics:

What is Artificial Intelligence, and why is it important in society?
The Law and Autonomous Vehicles
The Law and Drones
The Law and Autonomous Ships
Artificial Intelligence and the Legal System
Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Law
Artificial Intelligence and Legal Personhood
Artificial Intelligence in the financial system
Artificial Intelligence and Contracts
AI and Human Rights

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	22	11 x 2 hour lectures
Guided Independent Study	4.5	3 x 1.5 hour workshops
Guided Independent Study	60	Post-lecture/seminar reading
Guided Independent Study	19.5	Workshop preparation
Guided Independent Study	44	Assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	1,250 words	1-6	Individual written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	2,500 words	1-6	Written, with oral feedback available on request
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2,500 words)	1-6	August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

House of Lords, Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, ‘AI in the UK: Willing, Able and Ready’ (HL Paper 100, April 2018)

Matthew Channon, Kyriaki Noussia and Lucy McCormick, ‘Law and Autonomous Vehicles’ (Informa 2019)

The Law Commission project on the electronic signature of documents: available at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/electronic-execution-of-documents/

The Law Commission project on smart contracts: available at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/smart-contracts/

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

BAILIII

Europa

Key words search

Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Law, Drones, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Finance

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	05/02/2020
Last revision date	31/01/2022