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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Law, AI, Cognitive Technologies and Robotics
Module Code PSY1099 (ITS) / PSY1099 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinator-
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

The aims of this module are to provide an overview of the legal issues to be considered with emerging and disruptive technologies in the fields of cognitive technologies, artificial intelligence and robotics. Particular emphases will be paid on the use of human behaviour and brain imaging data in cognitive technologies, and legal implications, including European law, of current and possible uses. Also, social robotics will be critically considered from a legal perspective.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and evaluate fundamental concepts in generative AI and Social Robotics
2. Demonstrate a detailed and systematic knowledge of key legal challenges, sources of law and proposed law reform relevant to generative AI and Social Robotics
3. Demonstrate innovative solutions to legal challenges relevant to generative AI and Social Robotics
4. Identify and evaluate the role of neurotechnologies evidence in the courtroom
5. Critically consider future uses in generative AI and Social Robotics



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture20Lecture Material based on indicative content; Active listening and engagement with lecture material.
Seminars4Synchronous Seminars based on assessment preparation material
Online activity5Loop Discussion Fora
Independent Study96Independent study lecture review, seminar and assessment preparation.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Technologies

Fundamental concepts in generative AI: confidentiality, anonymity, integrity, privacy.

Legal responsibility, liability and accountability issues

Digital Intellectual Property

Human Rights and generative AI

Robotic Law and Social Robotics

Ownership, generative AI and Social Robotics

Legal frameworks: EU and Comparative frameworks

Neurotechnologies, generative AI and the Law
Criminal and Civil Implications

The Future of generative AI and Social Robotics

Open AI Tools, Education and Other Sectors

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentCase Study on a cognitive technology (Generative Artificial) with critical consideration of legal challenges and present solutions.40%n/a
AssignmentInteractive Oral Presentation (30%) and Written Report (30%) based on fictious legal case based on Disruptive Technologies and Social Robotics60%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Jones, Owen: 2014, Law and Neuroscience, Aspen Pub., 978-145484824
  • edited by Stephen J. Morse and Adina L. Roskies.: 2013, A primer on criminal law and neuroscience, Oxford [Oxfordshire]; Oxford University Press, 0199859175
  • Marcelo Corrales,Mark Fenwick,Nikolaus Forgó: 2018, Robotics, AI and the Future of Law, Springer, 9789811328732
  • Eagleman, D.: 2011, Incognito: The secret lives of the brain, Canongate Books Ltd., Edinburgh,
  • Eduard Fosch-Villaronga: 2019, Robots, Healthcare, and the Law Regulating Automation in Personal Care, Routledge; 1st edition,
  • Freeman, M.: 2011, Law and neuroscience: Current legal issues, 13, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Freeman, M., Goodenough, O.R.: 2009, Law, mind and brain, Ashgate Publishing, London,
  • Fruehwald, E.S.: 2011, Law and human behavior: A study in behavioral biology, neuroscience and the law, Vandeplas Publishing, Florida, US,
  • Garland, B.: 2004, Neuroscience and the law: Brain, mind and the scales of justice, 2nd, Chicago University Press, Chicago,
  • Rosario Girasa: 2020, Artificial Intelligence as a Disruptive Technology, Palgrave Macmillan, 9783030359744
  • Gordana, J.: 2012, Neurotechnology: Premises, Potential and Problems., Taylor and Francis, USA.,
  • Morse, S.J., Roskies A.L: 2013, A primer on criminal law and neuroscience, 1, Oxford University Press, New York, 9780199859177
  • Patterson, D. & Pardo, MS.: 2016, Philosophical Foundations of Law and Neuroscience., Oxford University Press, UK.,
  • Purser, K.: 2017, Capacity Assessment and the Law., Springer International.,
  • Saswat Sarangi; Pankaj Sharma: 2019, Artificial intelligence: evolution, ethics and public policy, Routledge, Abingdon, 9780429865411
  • Spranger, T.M. (edited by): 2012, International Neurolaw: A Comparative Analysis., Springer Verlag, Berlin.,
  • Vincent, N.A.: 2013, Neuroscience and legal responsibility, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Zeki, S.: 2006, Law and the brain, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Uttal, W.R.: 2008, Neuroscience in the courtroom: What every lawyer should know about the mind and the brain, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, Tucson, AZ,
Other Resources

None

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