Module: Law, AI, Cognitive Technologies and Robotics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Law, AI, Cognitive Technologies and Robotics
Module Code	PSY1099
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lecture Material based on indicative content; Active listening and engagement with lecture material.
Seminars	4	Synchronous Seminars based on assessment preparation material
Online activity	5	Loop Discussion Fora
Independent Study	96	Independent study lecture review, seminar and assessment preparation.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21173	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lorraine Boran	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Case Study on a cognitive technology (Generative Artificial) with critical consideration of legal challenges and present solutions.	40%	n/a
Assignment	Interactive Oral Presentation (30%) and Written Report (30%) based on fictious legal case based on Disruptive Technologies and Social Robotics	60%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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 ForgÃ³: 2018, Robotics, AI and the Future of Law, Springer, 237, 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, 331, 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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None