Policy Practicum: Governance and Regulation of Emerging Technologies

Policy Client: McCourt Institute, https://mccourtinstitute.org/. This policy lab will provide students an opportunity to learn about and write research reports concerning the governance of the newest technologies. The students will form three teams with each team producing one group report on one of the following technologies: (1) Blockchain (principally non-crypto applications); (2) virtual and extended reality; and (3) Generative AI (Chat GPT, Dall-E, etc.). There will be three classes on each topic -- one to describe the harms presented by the technology, another to investigate private governance solutions and best practices, and a final that will explore options for government regulation. The three group oral presentations and written reports will follow that same structure. The goal is to provide a blueprint for regulators and firms concerning governance of these new technologies. Students are expected to attend all classes. Students will consider the ethical implications of new technologies and the role of lawyers in mitigating risks for firms engaging in these new technologies. The class will be limited to 20 students -- at least half of whom will be law students. The other half will be comprised of graduate students and advanced undergraduates from disciplines across the university and who can demonstrate knowledge and background in the relevant technologies. The class will meet at the Law School on Mondays from 4:15 to 6:15 pm. NOTE: Admission is with consent of the instructor. Interested students should submit a one-paragraph statement describing their background and interest in the class and the particular technology for their focus. Submit statements of interest using the form available at https://forms.gle/DMgc4GVEX6wdKKZNA. Students should also complete the consent application form available at https://registrar.law.stanford.edu. SKILLS TRAINING: Students who enroll in a Law and Policy Lab practicum for the first time are asked to participate in the full-day methods boot camp on the first Saturday of the term. If you wish to earn course credit for developing your policy analysis skills, you may formally enroll in "Elements of Policy Analysis" (Law 7846) for one-unit of additional credit. As you will see from the course description, credit for Law 7846 requires your attendance at the full-day methods boot camp plus at least two additional lunch-hour workshops. If you enroll in a practicum but prefer to audit the supplemental skills class -- rather than receive formal credit -- please let Policy Lab Program Director Luciana Herman (lherman@law.stanford.edu) know and she will contact you with more details. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Performance, Class Participation, Written Assignments, Final Paper.