Digital Economy in the EU (module 3)

Teacher(s)

Defacqz Samuel; Nouveau Patricia (compensates Defacqz Samuel);

Language

English

Main themes

The digital transformation of the EU economy is a major evolution that raises challenges such as the EU risking to fall behind the US and China. The functioning of the digital markets and their underpinnings, such as the microprocessors industry, raise geopolitical issues and are thus at the core of the debates on the strategic autonomy of Europe. Analysing those markets from a multidisciplinary point of view requires not only to identify the main actors, their strategies, the complex supply chains, etc., but also to understand the sovereignty and governance issues, as well as the EU legal framework.
The course aims to do this by reviewing the main EU policies and laws for the digital markets. This, among others, includes a review of the international competition around the manufacturing of chips, the state of competition on the digital markets and the remedies in case of abuse, the governance of data (in particular personal data) and artificial intelligence, the fight against online disinformation, the liability and (social) responsibility of digital platforms, the cybersecurity and resilience issues, the protection of consumers online, and in general digital sovereignty issues.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

understand the specificities of the digital markets and the challenges that the digital transformation of the EU economy raises highlight the geopolitical dimensions resulting from the international competition around digital technologies analyse the main EU policies regarding the digital economy from an interdisciplinary perspective critically reflect upon the values and objectives underpinning those policies propose alternative measures and policies that take into account the various dimensions of the digital economy and the stakes (including the protection of fundamental rights and democracy)

Teaching methods

The pedagogical approach consists of a combination of lectures and seminars.

Evaluation methods

The examination for this course consists of a graded reading presentation (40% of the overall grade) and a final written exam (60% of the overall grade).
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is regulated in this course. Therefore, if AI systems are used during assessments, students are required to submit a print-screen or transcription of the exchange had with the chosen AI system(s), together with a paragraph explaining the reasons for resorting to AI and the advantages and disadvantages found in the use of this method.

Online resources

Course materials, including academic readings, will be made available on the course's Moodle page at least one week prior to each class. Students are expected to review these materials in advance to prepare for the lectures and seminars. When used, lecture slideshows will be posted online after each session.

Faculty or entity

> IEEB