EU Action in Artificial Intelligence and Disinformation 4003-EUAA-OG

Participants will explore the complexity of a new EU approach on AI and all the legal and non-legal documents that the EU has employed in order to discipline it. The students will focus on the European AI Strategy that has been translated into a European approach to excellence and trust through concrete rules and actions. For this reason, the class will take into consideration the three EU Commission proposal: the so-called AI package: Communication on fostering a European approach to AI; a review of the Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (with EU Member States); its proposal for a regulation laying down harmonized rules on AI (AI Act) and relevant Impact assessment.
On the second part of the course, since Disinformation constitutes a particular aspect of AI, the participants will assess the main documents that the EU has adopting in regulating Disinformation, that are mainly informal and non-binding document. The course will address the spread of disinformation, its main causes, the EU’s attempt in trying to defend itself from it.

Students will learn how AI and Disinformation are interconnected and how certain countries, such as Poland, has contributed in the European public debate at creating awareness in regulating these fields.

1. The Europe for the Digital Decade – an introduction.
2. The European AI Strategy – general issues.
3. AI package: rationale, features and legal issues.
4. EU and Disinformation: in search for a definition.
5. The causes of Disinformation in the EU
6. EU documents for regulating disinformation
7. EU bodies and institutions for combating disinformation

Course coordinators

Francesco Spera

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

After the course student should be able to:
- understand EU’s action in AI and Disinformation
- identify and describe the main reasons for the EU’s action on AI and Disinformation
- identify and understand the main EU law documents concerning AI and Disinformation
- know and analyze main aspects of AI and disinformation
- understand the role of the EU as a normative power in these two fields

Assessment criteria

Teaching methods:
- combination of theoretical issues and case studies;
- Problem based learning methodology: materials would be provided before each class with some questions that the students will address together during the class with the help of the tutor
- Students’ own studies, engagement and involvement by working together will be encouraged and part of the final evaluation
referring to their individual experience and knowledge gained from independent reading,
- use of the Kampus platform and the uploaded materials including scientific papers, links to Internet sources and various audio-video materials, films, etc.
- use of a PPT original presentation for each module
- involvement of the student in independent work through the completion of one presentation on one specific topic selected by the tutor at the end of the class (each presentation is evaluated separately)

Assessment criteria:
The assessment consists of three parts: class attendance, presentation of one topic discussed in class and in-class activity. Each presentation is given a number of points. The sum of these points is the basis for the final grade. Attendance in class is required (two unexcused absences are allowed).

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 4003-EUAA-OG in USOSweb