AI and Rule of Law: A Global Perspective

Advances in machine learning, big data, networked communications, and computing are transforming our world and fueling calls for regulation. This course--a joint venture of a Stanford law professor and a former Member of the European Parliament and leading voice on tech regulation--offers a global perspective on the profound legal and governance challenges posed by the new digital technologies. Students will emerge with an understanding of how tech is reshaping the global distribution of political authority, rights, and resources, the existing state of law and regulation in the U.S., Europe, China, and elsewhere, and the new democratic governance models that are emerging in response. Each class session will feature one or more distinguished speakers from around the world drawn from the ranks of government officials, judges, activists, and academics who work in the fields of human rights, privacy, free speech, trade, and national security. There are no course prerequisites, whether in law or otherwise. Students will be responsible for one-page responses to each week's readings and a research paper to be turned in at the spring paper deadline. Students can take the course for 2 or 3 units, depending on research paper length. This class is cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 253) and undergraduates and graduates are eligible to take it. Stanford Non-Law students may enroll in INTLPOL 253 directly in Axess. Non-law students wishing to enroll in LAW 4050 should complete the Non-Law Student Add Request form available at https://law.stanford.edu/education/courses/non-law-students/ for a permission number to enroll. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments, Final Paper.