851-0732-06L  Law & Tech

Courses

Catalogue data

Abstract	This course introduces students to scientific and technological developments that require regulation or enable legal innovation. We focus particularly on the challenges to current law posed by prominent near-future technologies.
Learning objective	The course is intended for a wide range of ETH students as well as for law students interested in acquiring a better understanding of state-of-the-art technology. The course will combine both an overview of major areas of law that are relevant for the regulation of technology and guest lectures on new technological developments. In previous years, speakers from industry (Google, Youtube), NGOs (Digital Society Switzerland, The European Consumer Organizations), regulatory agencies (Swiss Competition Commission), and academia participated as guest speakers. The course is open to ETH students through the Science in Perspective program of the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences.
Content	The planned course outline is below. - Overview of Law and Technology - Fundamental Rights - AI & Discrimination - Landmark Big Tech Cases - Regulation of Digital Platforms & Content Moderation - Online Consumer Protection - Law and Tech Scholarship Series A number of recent regulations will be discussed, including the EU's AI Act, the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as well as emerging internet phenomena, like ChatGPT and the Metaverse.
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Media and Digital Technologies assessed Social Competencies Communication assessed Personal Competencies Creative Thinking assessed Critical Thinking assessed

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	3 credits
Examiners	J. Merane, A. Stremitzer
Type	graded semester performance
Language of examination	English
Repetition	Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examination	The course grade will be based on a written final exam on the law and tech aspects of the course as well as on class participation. Details of the exam will be discussed at the first lecture. Class participation will be used to adjust the final grade up by an amount between 0.0 and 0.5 (that is, participation cannot bring your grade down). Student participation is an essential part of maintaining a lively and interesting conversation, and the possibility to improve one’s grade via participation reflects this.

Learning materials

Groups

Restrictions

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Doctorate Humanities, Social and Political Sciences	Subject Specialisation	W
Science, Technology, and Policy Master	Electives	W
Science in Perspective	D-BIOL	W
Science in Perspective	Law	W
Science in Perspective	D-INFK	W
Science in Perspective	D-ITET	W
Science in Perspective	D-MTEC	W