1. Identify and explain legal issues relating to the law as it applies on the internet or to artificial intelligence.

Knowledge and Understanding
Enquiry

2. Critically analyse and evaluate policies, principles and rules which govern the regulation of the information society or artificial intelligence.

Learning
Enquiry
Analysis

3. Identify and analyse a range of commercial, technological and other factors which impact on governance of the internet and Artificial Intelligence (AI), effectively deploying and synthesising a range of sources that reflect the relationship of Cyber Law and AI Law with other fields of study.

Knowledge and Understanding
Enquiry

4. Communicate effectively in a manner appropriate to the intended audience, and deploy digital skills to promote reader engagement with online textual communications.

Communication

The first element of the assessment is a blog. Students will present a contemporary issue relating to AI law to a non-specialist audience in the form of a blog piece. This assessment incorporates online digital skills, requiring students to consider how to use digital design elements to engage a generalist reader with a complex topic, in an age in which we consume information in formats suited to the fast pace of the internet.¿The blog will examine LOs 1 and 4.

The second element is a more traditional coursework essay. The essay will require students to present an analysis of a legal issue. This essay will examine LOs 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Origins and definitions of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI challenges to legal concepts, such as subjects and agents, and causation.
Responsibility for AI
What is the information society?
How is the information society regulated?
Online speech and freedom of expression
Defamation and liability of ISPs.
Data protection
State surveillance

Cyber law and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly interactive as business and individuals utilise the online space. Therefore, this module will introduce you to both elements to help prepare you for your future careers, whatever they may be.

The internet is the present and future of commerce and social interactions nationally and internationally. Most of us interact online and the businesses and/or clients that you may in the future work for almost certainly will. This module seeks to explore how some of the legal principles that you have studied at levels 4 and 5 apply in this online environment.

Artificial intelligence is possibly the great catalyst of the 21st century, stretching beyond human ability to extend or restrict our own rights and humble capabilities. Therefore, this module will also explore what AI is and how it interacts with our established legal concepts both online and offline.

The 39 face to face contact hours on this module will comprise a large group (1 hour) and a small group (2 hours) per week for one semester. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require groupwork and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods including presentations, debates, quizzes and problem solving in groups and individually. Sessions will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

Murray A, Information Technology Law: The Law and Society. (OUP 2023) - this textbook is available as part of the university library subscription to OUP’s Law Trove service.

Turner J, Robot Rules: Regulating Artificial Intelligence (Palgrave Macmillan 2019)

Legal databases: WestLaw and LexisNexis

Digital Law – law firm specialising in cyber law https://www.digitallawuk.com/

e-journals available from the University Library, including: