Digital Platforms and Artificial Intelligence: European Regulation in the Global Market
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course examines the impact of technology (with a focus on new operators, platforms and artificial intelligence) on the European and global market, in light of the rise of private law interventions that intertwine with public regulation.
The aim is for students to acquire the knowledge needed to understand and analyse the implications of these transformations for both the functioning of the market and user's protection.
During lectures, students will examine and debate news regarding the actions of these platforms and any legal decisions made towards them, and/or towards the application of artificial intelligence. They will be encouraged to adopt a legal approach to develop an ability to make judgements on such innovations, which are fundamental for the definition of public policies and interventions, as well as for managing economic relationships in the public sector.
The aim is for students to acquire the knowledge needed to understand and analyse the implications of these transformations for both the functioning of the market and user's protection.
During lectures, students will examine and debate news regarding the actions of these platforms and any legal decisions made towards them, and/or towards the application of artificial intelligence. They will be encouraged to adopt a legal approach to develop an ability to make judgements on such innovations, which are fundamental for the definition of public policies and interventions, as well as for managing economic relationships in the public sector.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired the principles underlying the functioning of markets and the main legal intervention tools. They should also have grasped the problems of efficacy and specific issues of the relationship between law and technology.
By analysing primary sources (regulatory actions and decisions) and current news in the class, students will develop an ability to identify and interpret the main legal implications of different technologies (artificial intelligence, platforms, etc.) also in everyday contexts, and acquire a subject-specific technical and legal terminology. They will also acquire the ability to further develop their knowledge on their own; which is fundamental in a rapidly changing context.
By analysing primary sources (regulatory actions and decisions) and current news in the class, students will develop an ability to identify and interpret the main legal implications of different technologies (artificial intelligence, platforms, etc.) also in everyday contexts, and acquire a subject-specific technical and legal terminology. They will also acquire the ability to further develop their knowledge on their own; which is fundamental in a rapidly changing context.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course is designed to explore market regulation issues, the types of entities involved, and the services offered by platforms within the context of the European single market. It also considers the global operations of large platforms, often referred to as Big Tech.
Finally, a comprehensive analysis will focus on crowdfunding platforms and financing operations supported by crypto assets.
In the first part of the course, we will compare various approaches to regulating digital platforms, focusing particularly on large platforms. This will include an impact analysis of the regulations enacted in recent years across Europe, the United States, and Asia, with specific attention to the measures taken by China. The goal is to understand the regulatory choices made and assess their effectiveness.
The second part of the course will examine the role of artificial intelligence and its potential to deliver new and increasingly personalized services. This exploration will address emerging implications and concerns related to competition and user protection, including issues of transparency, privacy, and consumer autonomy in contract matters. These considerations will also take into account the coexistence of public and private regulations.
Finally, a comprehensive analysis will focus on crowdfunding platforms and financing operations supported by crypto assets.
In the first part of the course, we will compare various approaches to regulating digital platforms, focusing particularly on large platforms. This will include an impact analysis of the regulations enacted in recent years across Europe, the United States, and Asia, with specific attention to the measures taken by China. The goal is to understand the regulatory choices made and assess their effectiveness.
The second part of the course will examine the role of artificial intelligence and its potential to deliver new and increasingly personalized services. This exploration will address emerging implications and concerns related to competition and user protection, including issues of transparency, privacy, and consumer autonomy in contract matters. These considerations will also take into account the coexistence of public and private regulations.
Teaching methods
The course will be organized into lessons, utilizing slides to explain individual topics. To enhance understanding, there will be opportunities for in-depth analysis and discussions with students about jurisprudential cases and actions by regulatory authorities. Additionally, students will be encouraged to bring up any relevant news and current events during class discussions. This approach aims to help them apply the theoretical concepts learned to real-world situations.
Teaching Resources
Attending Students:
- La finanza nell'età degli algoritmi, L. Ammannati- A. Canepa (edited by), Torino, 2023, p. 83-113 available https://www.giappichelli.it/la-finanza-nell-eta-degli-algoritmi-9791221101232?srsltid=AfmBOooSxpJcSq4Ggt-iOFSsNR4O-kzhXP_sqjuTIPc7dYNMM9YgqqsF
- Cambini, Manganelli, Napolitano, Nicita (a cura di) Economia e diritto della regolazione, Mulino, 2024, p. 27-48, 157-180 e 359-394
Students will have access to the slides that were used during the lessons
Non Attending Students
- L. Ammannati- A. Canepa (a cura di), La finanza nell'età degli algoritmi, Torino, 2023, p. 83-113
- Cambini, Manganelli, Napolitano, Nicita (edited by) Economia e diritto della regolazione, Mulino, 2024, p. 27-48, 157-180 e 359-394
- B. Bonfanti, NFT-backed loans. Spunti per un inquadramento giuridico, in Il mercato dei non fungible tokens tra arte, moda e gamification, A. Canepa (edited by), Milano, 2024, p. 39 ss. (open access available https://libri.unimi.it/index.php/milanoup/catalog/book/150)
- La finanza nell'età degli algoritmi, L. Ammannati- A. Canepa (edited by), Torino, 2023, p. 83-113 available https://www.giappichelli.it/la-finanza-nell-eta-degli-algoritmi-9791221101232?srsltid=AfmBOooSxpJcSq4Ggt-iOFSsNR4O-kzhXP_sqjuTIPc7dYNMM9YgqqsF
- Cambini, Manganelli, Napolitano, Nicita (a cura di) Economia e diritto della regolazione, Mulino, 2024, p. 27-48, 157-180 e 359-394
Students will have access to the slides that were used during the lessons
Non Attending Students
- L. Ammannati- A. Canepa (a cura di), La finanza nell'età degli algoritmi, Torino, 2023, p. 83-113
- Cambini, Manganelli, Napolitano, Nicita (edited by) Economia e diritto della regolazione, Mulino, 2024, p. 27-48, 157-180 e 359-394
- B. Bonfanti, NFT-backed loans. Spunti per un inquadramento giuridico, in Il mercato dei non fungible tokens tra arte, moda e gamification, A. Canepa (edited by), Milano, 2024, p. 39 ss. (open access available https://libri.unimi.it/index.php/milanoup/catalog/book/150)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The test will consist of open-ended questions. This approach allows us to assess not only the knowledge that has been acquired but also the ability to make autonomous judgments while reconstructing the arguments and legal issues involved.
The questions will differ for attending and non-attending students. For those who attend, the questions will focus on specific parts of the assigned texts and the topics discussed in class. Additionally, intermediate tests will be conducted throughout the course to evaluate and enhance the learning ability of attending students.
The questions will differ for attending and non-attending students. For those who attend, the questions will focus on specific parts of the assigned texts and the topics discussed in class. Additionally, intermediate tests will be conducted throughout the course to evaluate and enhance the learning ability of attending students.
IUS/05 - ECONOMICS LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Bonfanti Benedetta, Canepa Allegra
Professor(s)