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Artificial Intelligence and the Law

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, and 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 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 UK and international agreements in relation to AI;
• 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 precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

• 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
• 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)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

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

Key words search

Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Law, Drones, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Smart Contracts, Autonomous Weapons Systems