Learning objectives
Know the solutions suggested by Roman jurists in order to apply them to the problems generated by robots.
Prerequisites
none
Course unit content
The work of the Roman jurists can offer useful suggestions in relation to two new legal issues raised by intelligent machines.
The first concerns the status and responsibility of robots. Several scholars (eg Sartori and Pagallo) have in fact tried to compare the position of robots to that of slaves, also proposing to provide them with a similar financial endowment (digital peculiarium).
The second is more specific and concerns the choices that self-driving cars could be forced to make in emergency situations. In this case it would be useful to draw on the experience of the actio de pauperie, which offers a model for setting disputes relating to damage caused by dangerous animals which is still operational in various jurisdictions (South Africa, above all).
Full programme
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Bibliography
The readings will be uploaded online on the Elly platform (no more than 30 pages).
Teaching methods
The lessons will be a combination of lectures and seminars, with the goal to encourage the students to participate in the discussion.
Assessment methods and criteria
The achievement of the educational targets will be verified through an oral test to be held after the conclusion of the lessons, which will consist of no more than 3 questions on different topics (each answer will be assigned a score from 0 to 10, with increasing merit value). For the purposes of the evaluation, importance will be given to the correct and effective presentation of the contents in appropriate technical terms and to the quality of the legal reasoning. The final positive mark, deriving from the sum of the results achieved in the answers, will be expressed on a scale of evaluation out of thirty (from 18 to 30).
In relation to the evolution of the pandemic, the exam could take place in a mixed mode (ie in presence or remotely, for students who request it), or in an exclusively remote mode, online, for everyone. Notice of the chosen method will be given promptly and in advance through the esse3 system.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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