New Technologies and International Law (LAW297H1S)

Note: This course meets the International/Comparative/Transnational requirement. 

This seminar will explore the relationship between international law and digital technologies. As technology become increasingly woven into the fabric of societies around the world, we look at the role of international law in governing this new and ubiquitous domain of human interaction and how it addresses its governance challenges. Topics include state responsibility for different types of hostile cyber operations such as cyberattacks and foreign election interference, online platform governance and content moderation, artificial intelligence, government surveillance, human rights and data protection, and autonomous systems. Through research, discussion and presentation, the course invites students to critically reflect on the challenges at the intersection of technology and international law and human rights. Course readings will include regulations, judicial decisions, policy documents, scholarly articles and news stories.