OVERVIEW

The course is focused on the legal profiles of new technologies, expecially on the legal implications of the use of artificial intelligence by professionals, companies and public. Technological innovation has opened up scenarios on civil liability and product liability, on the protection of confidentiality, on information security, making it necessary to be aware of the European regulations.  The topic includes the study of private law, in the light of recent EU regulatory framework, and provides the skills to build AI systems compliant with the rules.  

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course deals with the legal implications of new technologies, with particular reference to artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioengineering. The milestones of technological evolution raise the problem of identifying the legal discipline applicable to new phenomena, prompting the need to reassess existing law to govern innovation while respecting the fundamental principles underlying the legal system without hindering the advancement of a new economic sector. The course aims to provide basic legal knowledge on the subject necessary to address the challenges posed by new technologies (artificial intelligence and robotics) in terms of protecting people's rights, both preventively (compliance) and remedially (liability and compensation), taking into account national and supranational regulations, jurisprudence, and the latest doctrinal contribution

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Active participation in the proposed learning activities (including lectures and workshops) and the study of materials provided during the course will enable students to:
- acquire skills in the field of artificial intelligence law at both European and national levels;
- distinguish, in particular, the legal institutions of private law, such as contracts, risk and liability, as well as the protection of fundamental human rights;
- describe the legal issues arising from the use of artificial intelligence and robotic systems;
- identify the legal solutions applicable in different scenarios through workshops and practical case studies;
- design and use artificial intelligence tools in compliance with current legislation;

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures delivered by the Professor with the aim of presenting and explaining in detail the main private law institutions related to artificial intelligence and robotic systems.
The objective is to provide knowledge of the applicable legislation at the European, national, and international levels in order to understand the legal issues arising from the use of AI and robotics.
To this end, part of the course will include practical cases and workshops designed to test students' abilities.
Students will be required to apply the legal solutions discussed during the lectures to different scenarios, encouraging group work, the presentation of ideas in class, and the drafting of written reports, which will be taken into account in the final assessment.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course covers national and European legislation on artificial intelligence, robotics, privacy, and the circulation and security of data. Materials will be provided by the instructor during the course and published on Aulaweb.

Syllabus:

1. Technological evolution and the law;
2. The current regulatory framework on artificial intelligence at national, European, and international levels;
3. Algorithms and autonomous decision-making. The issue of legal and electronic personality;
4. Algorithms and predictability;
5. Safety and liability models (medical devices, drones, smart cars, smart contracts, etc.);
6. Artificial intelligence and the regulation of personal data (GDPR No. 679/2016, Data Act). The OpenAI case. Data Governance;
7. Artificial intelligence in the context of e-democracy and e-government

The course contributes to the achievement of the following United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals:
- Provide inclusive, equitable, and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

- Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The teaching materials will be distributed during the course and made available to students on Aulaweb. We recommend reading the regulatory texts that will be explained in the class.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be conducted orally. For attending students, specific assessment methods may be agreed upon with the instructor, such as participation in workshops and the submission of a final report. An intermediate test is scheduled during the course. Students who do not pass the intermediate test or do not take it will be able to take the full oral exam on the dates set in the official calendar.

Students with certification of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs are required to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and assessment methods that, while respecting the learning objectives, take into account individual learning styles and provide appropriate compensatory tools.
Please note that requests for compensatory/dispensatory measures for exams must be sent to the course instructor, the School’s representative, and the “Settore servizi per l'inclusione degli studenti con disabilità e con DSA” office ([dsa@unige.it](mailto:dsa@unige.it)) at least 10 working days before the exam, in accordance with the guidelines available at the following link: [https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa](https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will allow for the assessment of the acquisition of knowledge regarding legislative regulation, the ability to apply legal rules to concrete situations, and the use of technical language. The practical cases and the intermediate test are intended to assess the knowledge acquired at the end of each module.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact the course Professor Valentina Di Gregorio via email (valentina.digregorio@unige.it)