Focus & Scope:This course provides a deep dive into the intersection of law and disruptive technologies, emphasising the legal, ethical, and societal challenges posed by innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, quantum computing, and beyond. The aim is to equip students with a foundational understanding of these technologies, not just their applications, but the principles behind how they are built, and how computational thinking shapes their design and function. By understanding computational thinking, students can also reflect on the similarities and differences with legal thinking and improve their understanding of their own analytical thinking. By doing so, students will be better prepared to critically analyse how these innovations intersect with existing legal frameworks and propose appropriate legal, ethical, and regulatory responses.
Key focus areas include:
- Computational Thinking & Core Technological Concepts – Students begin by learning the fundamentals of computational logic, data structures, algorithms, and the architecture behind disruptive technologies. This knowledge is crucial for grasping how technologies operate at a deeper level.
- Case Studies & Legal Frameworks – The course utilises comparative legal methods and explores national and international legal cases and frameworks, demonstrating how legal systems attempt to regulate or respond to disruptive innovations, often in a reactive rather than proactive manner. Students will critically assess the effectiveness of current approaches and explore gaps in governance.
- Technological Impact on Society – By examining how technologies reshape industries, economies, and societal norms, students will explore questions of justice, equality, privacy, and innovation, considering the legal responsibilities to protect individual rights while promoting responsible technological advancement. What is important, in the course, we will also consider those companies that are leading the development of these technologies, their control and potential power vis-a-vis us (the users).
- Regulatory & Ethical Challenges – The course concludes by discussing whether and how these technologies should be regulated. Students will debate emerging legal frameworks and propose solutions that balance innovation, societal good, and individual freedoms.
Design of the Course:The course's design is interdisciplinary and highly interactive. Throughout the course, students will be expected to participate in discussions, prepare presentations, submit written assessments, and work collaboratively on projects. The course will be a blend of theoretical discussions, practical technology sessions, case study analyses, and interactive problem-solving workshops. Students will also interact with guest lecturers from both the tech and legal industries.
This structure ensures that students not only grasp the technological underpinnings but also acquire the skills needed to bridge the gap between law and technology, ultimately preparing them to shape legal responses to a rapidly evolving tech landscape.