B6496 - EUROPEAN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: LEGAL AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course know the basic aspects of the links between EU Law and the development of new technologies, with an emphasis on the structural principles regulating the relationships between supranational and domestic legal orders, as well as the evolution of the European economic integration. Moreover, they are familiar with multiple ethical and social issues raised by information and communication technologies (ICTs), with a focus on artificial intelligence and its impact on society, individuals, and scientific research.

Course contents

Module on EU Law (Federico Ferri). The module has an introductory and horizontal nature. It focuses on topics concerning both the general and special parts of European Union Law; the explanation of these topics will be adapted to the subject of the course. The main topics are the following:

• introduction: competences of the Union and relationships between EU law and national law
• evolution of the internal market: from the common market to the digital single market
• fundamental rights: prospects for protection in the online environment
• external dimension: main “digital rules” in the international agreements concluded by the Union
• future challenges: what new frontiers for EU digital law?

 

Module on Digital Ethics (Giuseppe Contissa). The module is structured in two parts: in the first, topics and methods of ethical analysis are explored, while in the second part these tools are applied to specific issues raised by the use of technologies. The conceptual analysis is supported by the discussion of practical case studies. In particular, the following topics are addressed:

• introduction to ethics
• main ethical theories and approaches
• ethics and fundamental rights
• main issues of digital ethics: respect for human autonomy, responsibility, equity and non-discrimination, transparency, explicability.

Readings/Bibliography

In cloud schemes, selected texts, and other useful materials will be shared. Students can use them to prepare the exam.

Teaching methods

Lectures will include the study of practical cases, in order to enable students’ active participation in class.

Assessment methods

Written exam. Students’ participation in class and in extracurricular activities proposed by the lecturers will contribute to determining the final score.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations and multimedia tools (audio, video, explanatory images) will be used during the lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Ferri

See the website of Giuseppe Contissa