Enjeux des technologies du numérique

Teacher(s)

Cruysmans Edouard; Descampe Antonin;

Language

French

Content

This course is an introduction on the societal issues of digital technologies. After a historical perspective, the goal will be to provide the keys to technical understanding of the digital universe and raise awareness of some of the major societal issues that emerge from it. Among the topics covered, we can mention:

• Big Data: what are the risks and opportunities of this massive data collection?
• Artificial intelligence: what are the main current challenges for AI? What is an algorithm? what influence do algorithms have in our daily life? What are the pitfalls to avoid (opacity, lack of explainability, bias in decisions)? What place for humans in an automated world?
• Immersive technologies: what future for augmented and virtual reality devices?
• Mobility: how are digital technologies disrupting our mobility habits?
• Transhumanism: what is the transhumanist movement and what are the societal and ethical issues?

In addition, a few courses will be specifically devoted to an introduction to the legal issues of digital technology. Many areas of law are fully affected by the development of digital technology. The themes addressed during the courses devoted to legal issues may relate to:

• The application of fundamental rights in the digital environment (consecration of the right of access to the internet, protection of the right to privacy and image, right to data protection of a personal nature, development of the right to be forgotten, etc.);
• The analysis of the (in)existing legal framework in which artificial intelligence is developing (connected cars; algorithms, etc.);
• The development of a liability regime for digital platforms (content sharing platforms, rental platform, service platform, etc.);
• Apprehension by the law of social networks (and questions relating to privacy right, the right to reputation, personal data, etc.).

These topics will not necessarily all be covered and other legal and digital issues could also be taught.

Teaching methods

• Lectures by the teachers and possibly by speakers directly involved in digital technologies.
• Solicitation of the knowledge acquired by the students in their experience of the use of technologies.

Evaluation methods

Evaluation consists of an in-session exam, the practical details of which will be explained to students at the start of the term (and available on Moodle). This will be a written exam unless the number of registered students is low in which case an oral exam may be preferred.
As part of a continuous evaluation, teachers can ask students for individual work that will serve to fuel the discussion on the themes addressed during the course sessions.

Online resources

Presentation materials, useful links, work instructions and other external resources (reference work, etc.) will be made available to students on the Moodle platform of the course.

Faculty or entity

ESPO