2022-2023 / DROI1357-1

European law, (big) data and artificial intelligence applications seminar

Duration

24h Th

Number of credits

 Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science and Engineering5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science and Engineering (double degree programme with HEC)5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science and Engineering5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science (joint-degree programme with HEC)5 crédits 
 Master in law (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (in Science, Technology et Societies (STS))5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology)5 crédits 
 Master in multilingual communication (120 ECTS) (Digital media education)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Substitute(s)

Ljupcho Grozdanovski

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The goal of the seminar is two-fold. On the one hand, it establishes a solid analytical framework for the most salient aspects pertaining to the approaches, methods and strategies in regulating Big Data and new technologies, in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the European Union (EU). These issues will be addressed during a 6-hour cycle of ex catedra lectures.

On the other hand, students will be have the possibility to conduct research on a topic related to AI regulation. To this end, they will be required to identify the key challenges, advantages, disadvantages and possibilities for improvement (in particular the EU's regulatory framework) drawing on the knowledge gained within their fields of specialization (law, political science or applied sciences). Well researched, clearly structured and critical research papers will be expected for submission at the end of the seminar. These papers will be defended during the January exam session.

The papers will be the authored by pluridisciplinary groups of studenrs, the goal being to stimulate and foster a dialogue between lawyers, political scientists and engineers. To achieve this goal, several coaching sessions will be organized with assigned tutors who will provide guidance and give constructive advice, thus helping the students in their exploration of the selected topics.

 The suggested themes for the research papers are as follows:

- Consent (GDPR)
- Massive data vs. data minimization (GDPR)
- Profiling and biometric identification
- Copyright protection of artificially generated works
- Patent law protection of artificially generated inventions
- Digitalization and automation in healthcare
- Algorithmic detection of anti-competitive agreements
- Algorithmic (tacit) collusion and price discrimination
- Regulation by design

The groups will include students from different fields of study. The students should communicate to Mr. Jérôme De Cooman a total of three topics of choice. Charged with distributing the topics based on the preferences expressed, Mr. De Cooman will inform the students of the topic of their research, the group they will integrate as well as the name and coordinates of their assigned tutor.

The groups must collectively draft, in English, a research paper on the attributed theme. The expected length of the paper is 10 to 12 pages.

In the drafting of the research papers, the groups must comply with official citation rules (N. BERNARD (ed.), Guide des citations, références et abréviations juridiques, 6 éd., Bruxelles, Kluwer, 2017). It will not be required that a bibliography be annexed at the end of each paper.

With regard to structure, the papers should include: (1) a cover sheet, (2) an introduction including the research question(s) and a general outline of the structure of the study, (3) the core of the paper, the content of which be coherent and be divided into Sections and sub-Sections, (4) conclusion.

The cover sheet should include the following information:

- Student's first and last names;
- The course title and code
- Topic of the research
- Academic year 2022-2023
- The session (first or second session)
- First and last names of the tutor
- The first name and last names of the course instructor

Font: The chosen font is Calibri. The font is black. Direct citations and emphasized terms must be in italics (no bold highlighting or underlining). Headings and subheadings should be in bold characters.
Size: 12 pts for text and 10 pts for footnotes.
Paragraphs - spacing: Paragraphs should be spaced 12 pts apart.
Line spacing should be single-spaced.
Margins: Margins are set at 2.5 cm.
Alignment: Body paragraphs and footnotes will be justified (i.e., aligned both left and right).
Page numbering: Pages are numbered at the bottom right.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Solid understanding of the approaches and methods followed in regulating AI and big data in the EU.

Solid knowledge and understanding of the regulatory challenges as well as opportunities presented by new technologies, in particular AI.

Development of legal drafting skills in English.

Development of the ability to present in English before a mixed audience comprised of lawyers, political scientists and engineers.

Active participation in debates on the six main themes addressed in the seminar.

This course contributes to the learning outcomes II.1, II.2, V.1, V.2, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VI.4, VII.1, VII.2, VII.3, VII.4, VII.5 of the MSc in data science and engineering.


This course contributes to the learning outcomes II.1, II.2, V.1, V.2, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VI.4, VII.1, VII.2, VII.3, VII.4, VII.5 of the MSc in computer science and engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Openeness to, and exploration of various aspects of the interrelationship between law and new technologies

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The seminar will consist of in-person sessions.

During the first part (a 6-hour cycle of ex cathedra lectures), PPTs will be used and made available to the students.

The second part will include coaching and discussion sessions between students and the tutors in charge with supervising the students' research and drafting.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Ex catedra Lectures

21.09.2022 :  Regulating AI: objectives, approaches and challenges

27.09.2022 by noon : selected research topics to be transmitted to M. Jérôme De Cooman

28.09.2022 : The selection and meaning of the fundamental principles underlying AI Regulation in the EU

05.10.2022 : Accountability and liability for harms caused by autonomous systems

 

Séances de coaching

12.10.2022 : coaching session n°1

02.11.2022 : coaching session n°2

23.11.2022 : coaching session n°3

14.12.2022 : coaching session n°4

02.01.2023 by midnight : submission, by e-mail, of final research papers to M. Jérôme De Cooman

January 2023 : defense of research reports

Additional coaching sessions can be set up upon the students' request.

Recommended or required readings

Relevant materials (presentations, articles, caselaw) will be made available to the students.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

Final (written) research paper to be submitted in January

The oral exam will take the shape of a defense of the research paper

Continuous assessment: students will be assessed on a regular basis based on their preparation of and involvement in the coaching sessions

Additional information: 

  • Final draft of research paper : 10 points
  • Defense of the research paper : 6 points
  • Continued assessment : 4 points

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

See the mode of delivery tab above

Contacts

Lecturer:
Ljupcho Grozdanovski (lgrozdanovski@uliege.be)

Assistants
Margaux Clément

Jérôme De Cooman (Jerome.decooman@uliege.be)

Cyril Fischer (Cyril.Fischer@uliege.be)

Association of one or more MOOCs