Artificial Intelligence and the Law
Module title | Artificial Intelligence and the Law |
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Module code | LAWM131 |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Matthew Channon (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
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Module description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of modern society and is due to continuously change modern society as we know it. It is already affecting the way we work, the way we move, and the way we function, and will continue to have a major impact in our society for years to come. However, amongst the numerous challenges which are likely to be faced in the introduction of AI, the law is one of the most significant. Legal challenges are not contained in any one area of law nor any one area of AI, nor is it confined to any one legal system. The response to these legal challenges is undoubtedly crucial. For example, the Law Commission is currently examining the law of Automated Vehicles, which is an area likely to require future reform and detailed consideration.
In relation to AI and the law of autonomous transports, the module will explore the ways in which AI will impact the use of vehicles (autonomous or connected) as well as ships and drones. Moreover, issues relating to human rights such as in relation to privacy are key issues which may require examination in the future. There are further issues in relation to 3D Printing and Intellectual property law which will require further exploration in future legislation. Moreover, issues in relation to the military uses of AI such as in autonomous weapons systems is also a significant topic which will require further exploration.
This module seeks to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of Artificial Intelligence and its’ role in society. It will then provide you with knowledge and understanding in relation to legal challenges in relation to some of the key areas relating to Artificial Intelligence and solutions which have been proposed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to provide you with a detailed 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 knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and its role in society.
- 2. demonstrate a detailed and systematic knowledge of some of the legal challenges and responses relating to 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 current international agreements and UK law relating to AI along with law reform proposals.
- 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 own time confidently and independently, and to develop 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 some or all of the following topics to varying degrees of depth:
- What is Artificial Intelligence and how does it work?
- Development of Artificial Intelligence and its role in society.
- Researching and Understanding Technology Law
- Use of Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice
- The Law of Autonomous Transportation (Cars, Ships and Drones)
- Artificial Intelligence and the Law of Armed Conflict
- Law of Artificial Intelligence in Finance
- 3D Printing and the Law
- Smart Contracts and the Law
- Human Rights Challenges and Artificial Intelligence
- Intellectual Property and AI
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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30 | 270 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 30 | 10 x 3 hour lectures/seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 100 | Preparation for lectures/seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 100 | Post-lecture/seminar reading |
Guided Independent Study | 20 | Preparation for formative assignments |
Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation for summative assignments |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Individual written and oral feedback from the module convenor |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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80 | 0 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay | 80 | 6,000 words | 1-6 | Written, with oral feedback available on request |
Group presentation | 20 | 15 minutes | 1-6 | Written, with oral feedback available on request |
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 |
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Essay | Essay (6,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Group presentation | Essay (1,500 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - 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/
MN Schmitt & JS Thurner, ‘"Out of the Loop": Autonomous Weapon Systems and the Law of Armed Conflict’ (2013) 4 Harvard National Security Journal 232.
ET Jensen & R Alcala (eds), The Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Law of Armed Conflict (OUP 2019).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
BAILII
Europa
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/06/2015 |
Last revision date | 20/08/2020 |