Handbook home
Artificial Intelligence and the Law (LAWS90145)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael Carrick
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
August
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael Carrick
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
November
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael Carrick
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | March August November |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Historically a computer was “programmed” by a human utilising a precise set of instructions. Within this paradigm the computer was able to “process” information “fed” to it and produce a particular output based on such programming and information.
The human input was clear and transparent. As artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved in concert with the internet, cloud computing, big data gathering, data storage and data processing capabilities and the ubiquitous uptake of interactive smartphones and other “smart” devices, the relationship between the computer and direct and immediate human stewardship or control of outputs has become less readily identifiable. In turn this has given rise to significant legal issues.
There are substantial legal implications of AI which require ongoing, flexible and informed responses from lawyers and legal policy makers. This subject seeks to inform practicing lawyers, legal policy makers and non-lawyers in respect of those issues and how they might be dealt with.
Principal topics include:
- Introduction to AI. What is AI? Where is AI headed?
- The legal issues raised by AI
- The ethical issues raised by AI and particular applications of AI
- Overview of current AI legal reviews underway in the USA, EU and UK and Australia’s response to these reviews
- Intellectual property issues raised by AI
- Criminal liability in respect of AI
- Civil legal liability – examination of who is (or should be) responsible/liable for AI caused loss and harm.
- Mandatory insurance schemes for loss or damage caused by autonomous robots or AI
- The legal regimes governing use of AI in security, law enforcement and military contexts
- Privacy and confidentiality implications of AI
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the key principles in the law relating to AI in Australia and comparable jurisdictions
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of the current and proposed laws dealing with AI
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to AI
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field of AI
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of the factors and processes driving law reform related to AI
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas, and to critically evaluate existing legal theories, principles and concepts as they relate to AI
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding AI legal issues to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of AI law.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
August
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| 6 - 9 October 2023 | 90% |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research paper on topic to be agreed with subject coordinator
| 25 October 2023 | 90% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
March
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| 28 April - 1 May 2023 | 90% |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research paper on topic to be agreed with subject coordinator
| 24 May 2023 | 90% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
November
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| 19 - 22 January 2024 | 90% |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research paper on topic to be agreed with subject coordinator
| 31 January 2024 | 90% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Jonathan Gill Coordinator Michael Carrick Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 1 February 2023 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.s. Teaching period 1 March 2023 to 7 March 2023 Last self-enrol date 6 February 2023 Census date 2 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 April 2023 Assessment period ends 24 May 2023 March contact information
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael CarrickEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - August
Principal coordinator Jonathan Gill Coordinator Michael Carrick Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 5 July 2023 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 2 August 2023 to 8 August 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 July 2023 Census date 3 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 25 October 2023 August contact information
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael CarrickEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - November
Principal coordinator Jonathan Gill Coordinator Michael Carrick Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 25 October 2023 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 22 November 2023 to 28 November 2023 Last self-enrol date 30 October 2023 Census date 23 November 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 December 2023 Assessment period ends 31 January 2024 November contact information
Lecturers
Jonathan Gill (Coordinator)
Michael CarrickEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a 'first in' basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of waitlisted places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS in the pre-teaching period.
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-masters@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024