Artificial Intelligence

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_ArtIntL

Course Objective

Upon successful completion of this course, you will: (a) Subject-specific learning outcomes − develop a basic understanding of the core methods from the field of Artificial Intelligence, in particular: big data, machine learning and text processing − form a critical understanding of the relation between AI and law − be able to describe and critically assess key applications of AI within law − be able to pose and discuss societal and ethical questions related to the use of AI. (b) Academic learning outcomes
- be able to read, understand, analyse and reflect upon multi
- and inter-disciplinary literature relating to AI applications in the field of law
- be able to critically reflect on the impact of AI on law
- be able to analyze, interpret and employ scientific knowledge in a written assignment on a basic level
- be able to make a reasoned choice for an AI application and reflect on the potential consequences of this application for the legal field. (c) Social and communication learning outcomes
- be able to work in a focused and systematic way, both independently and as member of a team of people who have diverse (national, cultural, disciplinary) backgrounds
- be able to explore and engage with varied legal, ethical and socio-political positions
- be able clearly and convincingly present viewpoints and findings to different target groups in written form in an academically substantiated manner. (d) Study skills
- develop the capacity to independently research information, legal rules and principles, jurisprudence and academic literature on a particular issue of law relating to AI
- be able to select reliable sources to clarify the law on specific issues.

Course Content

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a young discipline of about sixty years, which is a set of sciences, theories and techniques (including mathematical logic, statistics, probabilities, computational neurobiology, computer science) that aims to imitate the cognitive abilities of a human being. Initiated in the shadow of the Second World War, its developments are intimately linked to those of computing and have led computers to perform increasingly complex tasks, which could previously only be delegated to a human. Current advances in AI are hailed by some as the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution. AI is everywhere and affects every sector of society, including law. Innovation in computational technologies have given rise to a whole range of new developments, such as autonomous vehicles and drones, predictive policing and automated warfare. Each of these developments has significant legal, ethical and policy implications. Autonomous vehicles and weapons, for instance, pose obvious dangers to life and limb posed. But there are other risks as well. AI(-based) systems function on the basis of correlations (rather than looking for causal relations), thus merely calculating probabilities and relying on risk assessment tools. They also often function as a ‘black box’, where the intermediate phases in the process of reaching a decision are by definition hidden from human oversight due to the technical complexity involved. As such, they pose significant risks to human rights and freedoms, such as the right to a fair trial and the right to liberty and security (as found, for instance, in the European Convention on Human Rights). Examples like these show the tremendous impact that AI will and already is having on the legal field; lawyers must be able to deal with this. After this course you will able to: ● understand the basics of AI, its vocabulary and core methods; ● describe the impact, opportunities and challenges AI brings to the legal field; and ● critically consider how to balance human and artificial intelligence in society.

Teaching Methods

Lectures Seminars (attendance is mandatory)

Method of Assessment

Written exam (closed book) Group assignment

Literature

The obligatory and recommended literature will be posted on Canvas.