The Politics of AI Regulation

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/S_PAIR

Course Objective

Learning goals: Knowledge and understanding – The student has acquired knowledge and understanding of:the core debates, approaches, concepts, and theories of regulation relating to regulatory challenges arising from the development and use of artificial intelligence;key trade-offs, dilemmas and considerations involved in decision-making concerning the regulation of artificial intelligence.Skills – The student has acquired the skills to:critically examine and debate the suitability of regulatory measures for dealing with challenges that arise from the use of artificial intelligence;recognize, articulate, and analyse how regulatory instruments and regimes relating to artificial intelligence differ between jurisdictions. Attitudes – The student displays:an open, reflexive, and independent attitude toward key trends and prevailing discourses on the regulation of artificial intelligence;

Course Content

Students acquire profound knowledge and understanding of regulatory challenges and responses related to the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence. The challenges are diverse and comprise e.g., the regulation of Big Tech and large platforms, AI-related harms, reigning in misinformation, and dealing with the technology’s impacts on labour markets and the environment. The course covers regulatory theory and core debates about the suitability of different approaches and instruments such as risk-based, technology-neutral, and so-called experimental regulation. Students will critically reflect on and debate how such instruments relate to potentially conflicting goals, such as promoting innovation and safeguarding individuals’ rights. The course also introduces students to the evolving landscape of real-world efforts to regulate AI. Looking at approaches to AI regulation enacted across jurisdictions, it provides students with an understanding of differences in regulatory paradigms and the contested nature of choices about regulatory instruments and approaches.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and tutorials (mandatory attendance).

Method of Assessment

Written assignment, exam.

Literature

To be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS).