Law, Ethics and Policy of Artificial Intelligence

In 2021, KU Leuven organised the first edition of the Summer School on the Law, Ethics and Policy of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Given the programme's overwhelming success, three editions have taken place thus far. The fourth edition will take place from 1 to 10 July 2024.

The Summer School aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various legal, ethical and policy-related issues around AI and algorithm-driven processes more broadly. As these technologies have a growing impact on all domains of our lives, it becomes increasingly important to map, understand and assess the challenges and opportunities they raise. This requires an interdisciplinary approach, which is why we are collaborating across faculties and departments to organise this Summer School. The programme's goal is to offer participants the latest insights on AI from various perspectives, and in particular the fields of law, ethics and policy.

The lectures are provided by renowned academics, policy-makers from EU and international institutions as well as practitioners, allowing participants to grasp not only the theoretical but also the practical implications of the use of AI in these fields.

The Summer School's intended audience concerns postgraduate students who already obtained a master's degree and junior/senior researchers from various disciplines, as well as policy analysts, lawyers and legal experts, civil servants, members of civil society organisations, AI practitioners, and other professionals with an interest in broadening their understanding of AI and its impact on society.

Participants receive a certificate of attendance with the equivalence of 3 ECTS credits. Those interested also have an opportunity to share their research with fellow participants through a research presentation session.

Thus far, the Summer School has taken place as a hybrid event, enabling participants to join both on campus and online.

Whether physically or virtually, we look forward to welcoming you to Leuven!

Course overview

The Summer School covers a range of topics that will enable participants to better grasp the various legal, ethical and policy implications of the development and use of AI in society. All lectures are taught in English.

The schedule of the Summer School's 2023 edition can be found here.

Most lectures focus on horizontal domains of interest, covering topics such as:

• Philosophy of AI
• Ethics of AI
• AI and Data Protection Law
• AI and Competition Law
• AI and Intellectual Property Law
• AI and Consumer Protection
• AI and Liability Law
• AI and Labour Law
• AI and Fairnes
• The European Commission's proposals for an AI Regulation, the Digital Services Act & the Digital Markets Act
• AI governance and the role of European & International institutions

Though Artificial Intelligence is a general purpose technology, many of its legal, ethical and policy-related implications are context- or sector-specific. Therefore, the programme also explores several vertical domains. These cover inter alia:

• AI and Law Enforcement
• AI and Public Services
• AI and Warfare
• AI and Healthcare
• AI and Education
• AI and Legal Tech

At the end of the course, participants who attended 90% of the classes and passed the exam receive a certificate of attendance with an equivalence of 3 ECTS credits. Those interested will also have the possibility to present their own research during a research presentation session.

Intended Audience

The Summer School’s intended audience concerns postgraduate students who already obtained a master's degree and PhD researchers from various disciplines, as well as more senior researchers, policy analysts, lawyers and legal experts, civil servants, members of civil society organisations, AI practitioners, and other professionals with an interest in broadening their understanding of AI and its impact on society.

Programme Format & Location

In the past, the Summer School was organised as a hybrid event, enabling participants to join either on campus or online.

The lectures take place at the KU Leuven Faculty of Law:

College De Valk - DV3
Faculty of Law, KU Leuven
Tiensestraat 41
3000 Leuven
Belgium

The application process for the Summer School's 2024 edition will run from 19 February to 27 March 2024.

If you would like us to keep you posted, you can register your interest here.

Application process

In their application form, applicants are asked to provide:

• A cover letter of max. 500 words explaining their background and motivation for enrolling to the Summer School;
• A CV in PDF format; and
• At least one letter of recommendation in PDF format (including the signatory's name, title and signature). Depending on your profile, the recommendation(s) can be academic or professional in nature.

The results of the selection process will be communicated to applicants by mid-April.

Places in the programme are limited to ensure the quality and depth of the interactions and discussions. English proficiency is required (though no certificate of language proficiency will be asked). In addition to the quality of applications, the selection committee also aims to ensure a diverse cohort of participants.

Tuition fees

In 2024, the Summer School will once again be offered in a hybrid format (*). In the application form, applicants will be able to indicate their preferred participation format (or indicate that they would be happy to participate in either format). Here below we list the tuition fees in each case:

1) Tuition fees for the on campus programme:

• For postgraduate / PhD students: €825
• For senior researchers, civil servants and employees of civil society organisations: €995
• For other professionals: €1250

This fee includes all the classes and course materials, lunches, coffee breaks, social activities and a closing dinner. It also includes the certificate of attendance with the equivalence of 3 ECTS credits. Note that this fee does not include accommodation. For information about accommodation in Leuven, please consult the KU Leuven housing website.

2) Tuition fees for the online programme:

• For postgraduate / PhD students: €595
• For senior researchers, civil servants and employees of civil society organisations: €750
• For other professionals: €995

This fee includes all the classes and course materials, access to the online learning platform, and a certificate of attendance with the equivalence of 3 ECTS credits. (*) We reserve the right to only offer the programme on campus, depending on the amount of online applications received.

The general terms and conditions for enrolling in certified continuing education programmes at KU Leuven can be found here. Please note the following cancellation policy:

• Until 24 May 2024: 50% reimbursement of the tuition fee.
• From 25 May 2024: no reimbursement of the tuition fee.

Scholarships

This year, we expect to be able to offer three scholarships in the form of a tuition fee waiver, aimed at ensuring that meritorious applicants who would otherwise not be able to afford the course, can nevertheless participate. In their application form, those applying for a scholarship will be able to upload an additional letter in which they set out the reasons why they believe to be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.

In addition, successful applicants from LDC countries will receive a tuition fee discount of €150.