Digitalization, New Technologies, AI and Law, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and comprehension
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• identify on how the internet, digitalization, automation and technologies such as peer-to-peer technologies and artificial intelligence relate to law and its general principles,
• explain the fundamentals of the European and international legal frameworks that specifically address digital transformation, such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and
• identify and explain the interplay between algorithms and the law, of its implications, possibilities, and limitations.

Ability and capacity
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• develop the ability to systematically discuss and analyse legal and ethical aspects of digitalization, including the use of AI in the legal practice, and
• explain and analyze the interplay between technology, digitalization and law, and be able to interpret and analyze fundamental principles as well as ethical reasoning in the area.

Valuation and perspective
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• critically evaluate phenomena such as social media, new media, and artificial intelligence and discuss them from a legal perspective, and
• examine and reflect on the legal and ethical issues affecting the production and use of the new technologies and critically discuss the legal issues raised by the online distribution of digital content and services.

Main content of the course

Changes in technology produce changes in society. These in turn are bound to the practice and theory of law. Particular attention is dedicated in the course to the impact of new technologies on the legal profession and to the legal issues raised by digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. Specific attention will also be paid to the digital delivery of content through non-traditional models such as peer-to-peer technologies, and their impact on business and legal practice.

The course covers the most important European and international legal frameworks in the information technology and media sectors: it discusses the legal treatment of digital services and the role of the internet in the European Single Market, and connects it to the freedom to publish and the free movement and trade in goods and services. Taxation issues are also examined in the context of EU and extra-EU electronic commerce and digital delivery. The course is framed by the Treaties of the European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. These include the fundamental freedoms relating to information technology and the internet. Secondary EU legislation, such as the GDPR and relevant regulations are also used.

The role of media and information technology in a democratic society and their implications in the upholding of human rights are also introduced: new rights and obligations, such as the right to oblivion or right to erasure, are thoroughly discussed.

Attention is also devoted to the historical evolution of the internet and digital technologies up until today. The educational aim of this approach is to gain awareness of the interplay between the advances of technology, its widespread use and adoption, and changes in the law.

In the field of legal tech the students will learn algorithms and law, more precisely how to convert law into data and why this is important when AI is used in legal practice. In this respect ethical issues are of great importance.

The course also discusses questions related to how digitalization may help or hinder the process of achieving gender equality and sustainable development.

Teaching methods

Lectures, individual assignments, seminars and the writing of a research paper.

Attendance and active participation during seminars is mandatory, as well as the completion of individual oral or written assignments in preparation for the seminars themselves.

The course also includes an internship period of 2 weeks, to investigate practical applications of the legal issues discussed in the course. The internship can be replaced by a supplementary task, such as an independent work presented orally or in a paper in accordance with the instructions of the examiner.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Written Examination, 7 credits (Code: A010)
Research paper with oral presentation.
If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is considered to be able to reach it with a limited effort, the examiner may instruct the student to submit a completed (written) assignment. The completion shall be done within fifteen working days from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Obligatory Requirements, 5 credits (Code: A011)
Minimum 5 seminars and individual assignments.
If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is considered to be able to reach it with a limited effort, the examiner may instruct the student to submit a completed (written) assignment. The completion shall be done within fifteen working days from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Internship, 3 credits (Code: A012)
Internship on a relevant field of the course. With a final report documenting the activity carried out during the internship.
Can be replaced by supplementary task in accordance with instructions from the examiner.(Selectable task)
If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is considered to be able to reach it with a limited effort, the examiner may instruct the student to submit a completed (written) assignment. The completion shall be done within fifteen working days from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Supplementary Task, 3 credits (Code: A013)
Individual assignment, memorandum (Selectable task)
If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is considered to be able to reach it with a limited effort, the examiner may instruct the student to submit a completed (written) assignment. The completion shall be done within fifteen working days from when the student is assigned the instruction.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2019-01-15, ORU 2019/00107), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Obligatory Requirements
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Internship
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Supplementary Task
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

The grades from the above mentioned examinations will be added together as a basis for the final grade. To obtain the grade E, all abovementioned examinations must be graded with Pass.

Specific entry requirements

180 credits at the first level out of which 90 credits with increasing depth within law, including an essay (G2E) of 15 credits; alternatively,180 credits at the first level of which 90 credits with increasing depth within media and communication studies, including an essay (G2E) of 15 credits. Additional requirements: English Course B/English Course 6.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Transitional provisions

For a course that has been cancelled or significantly changed in content or scope, there may be examinations on three occasions within 12 to 18 months after the changes have been made.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Ashley, Kevin D Senaste upplagan / Last edition
Artificial Intelligence and Legal Analytics. New Tools for Law Practice in the Digital Age
Cambridge University Press, 426 pages

Murray, Andrew Senaste upplagan / Last edition
Information Technology Law: The Law and Society
Oxford Publisher, 640 pages

Perry Keller Senaste upplagan / Last edition
European and International Media Law, Liberal Democracy, Trade, and the New Media,
Oxford Publisher, 500 pages

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Relevant articles and materials of approximately 500 pages for the seminars will be listed on Blackboard at the beginning of the course.