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LAW-40068 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LAW-40068 - Robot and AI Law
Coordinator: Stergios Aidinlis
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module explores a range of legal and regulatory issues raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, such as robots. It critically examines questions such as: Do robots have rights? Can robots be punished? What are the risks and harms of AI to fundamental human rights and how can these be addressed? How is responsibility to be allocated when robots cause harm? Can the law make AI responsible and explainable? The module also takes a closer look at specific AI applications, such as for instance facial recognition technologies, and the use of AI in particular contexts, for instance, in wars or in the criminal justice system.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the key legal and ethical issues relating to robots and AI. Teaching will cover the definitions of robots and AI, questions of responsibility and liability of robots, the ethical and socio-legal implications of AI, regulating AI and the key challenges that arise in this respect.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain, evaluate and synthesise in detail the key legal and ethical challenges that robots and AI pose: 1
Critically appraise questions of responsibility and accountability of robots: 1
Engage in a critical discussion of the ethical and socio-legal implications of AI and critically analyse and discuss the risks that AI poses in different contexts (eg., warfare/killer robots, facial recognition AI, AI systems used in criminal law): 1
Critically reflect on the capabilities and limitations of the law to regulate AI and its implications: 1

Study hours

2-hour weekly Seminars (10 weeks) - 20 hours
Seminar Preparation Hours (research & reading) ¿ 10 x 6= 70 hours
Report and revision = 60 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 100%
4000 word report
A 4000 word research report to be submitted to the public or the industry/ private sector (this will be specified each year). The research report will require students to critically analyse robot and/or AI related issues and propose appropriate recommendations.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024