Last modified: 09 Dec 2025 16:46
The course will introduce students to some of the most pressing challenges raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI). It aims to offer an overview of the applicable legal framework, including our digital rights, critically discussing the tensions arising in concrete case scenarios and reflecting on regulatory approaches to foster human-centric "Al transition".
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Al is an evolving field of computer science whose applications have been deployed in many sectors of our daily lives. From complex medical applications that can identify certain pathologies through data mining to a basic online search, Al applications hold a great potential to support or enhance human activities. However, the possibilities they are opening up also raise a number of challenges from an ethical and legal perspective.
The course aims to introduce students to the legal challenges raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the legal framework applicable to it, the specific regulations enacted to face such challenges (e.g. the EU AI Act), and the policy initiatives now under discussion to regulate such a field in other countries, including the UK.
The course will be organised around six main topics, such as:
No previous technical knowledge is required. The legal analysis might sometimes require a basic understanding of certain technical aspects of a technology. In such cases, a computer science expert (Dr Arabella Sinclair) will provide an easy-to-follow explanation in a way that it is accessible to all students, regardless of their non-specialist background.
This course is offered as part of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Chair in "Fair Digital Transition", a prestigious award of the EU Commission for innovative teaching and learning activities
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 20 | Feedback Weeks | 23 | |
| Feedback |
2-hour exam worth 50% of the overall grade. The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of the legal framework applicable to artificial intelligence. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such recommender systems, algorithmic discrimination, liability of robots. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the legal implications of artificial intelligence, their impact on society, policymaking, and the future of legal professions. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 13 | Feedback Weeks | 16 | |
| Feedback |
2,500-word essay worth 50% of the overall grade. Students will have to write a case comment to a decision that will be assigned by the teaching staff. The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of the legal framework applicable to artificial intelligence. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such recommender systems, algorithmic discrimination, liability of robots. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the legal implications of artificial intelligence, their impact on society, policymaking, and the future of legal professions. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of the legal framework applicable to artificial intelligence. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the legal implications of artificial intelligence, their impact on society, policymaking, and the future of legal professions. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such recommender systems, algorithmic discrimination, liability of robots. |
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