Artificial Intelligence and the Law
| Module title | Artificial Intelligence and the Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAWM131 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Abhilash Nair () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
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.
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 respect to legal challenges in some key areas relating to Artificial Intelligence, and explore the issues and possible solutions in these contexts.
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
• Law of Artificial Intelligence in key areas, e.g., transportation, Finance, etc.
• Human Rights Challenges and Artificial Intelligence
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 30 | 10 x 3-hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Reading post-seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Preparation of formative assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation of summative assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,500 words | 1-6 | Written feedback (with oral feedback upon request) |
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 | 4,000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback, with oral feedback available on request |
| 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 (4,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 08/08/2022 |
