Rules-as-Code applications

The course treats the ambition in public administration to automate the handling of routine matters. There is a special focus on discussing the risk that the codification of rules that is done when decision-making processes are automated will result in a subtle reinterpretation of the rules. Rules-as-Code means that rules are expressed in forms that are readable for machines and humans alike. The course covers how rules are written in machine-readable form so that the reinterpretation to programming code for computers will not entail reinterpretation of the intentions behind the rules. A large part of the course comprises practical exercises in which different problems related to the coding of rules are presented, analysed, and handled. An important component is discussions with guest lecturers and legal practitioners about automated decision-making and the specific solution offered by Rules-as-Code. This technology is being tested by authorities around the world, and guest lecturers from Swedish authorities contribute examples and workshops in the course. Instruction is in the form of lectures, workshops, laboratory sessions, and presentation seminars.