ºù«ÍÞÊÓÆµ

Department of Mathematics

AI, Digital and Innovation Policy (996N1)

Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.

AI, Digital and Innovation Policy

Module 996N1

Module details for 2026/27.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)

Module Outline

This module examines industrial and innovation policies for managing radical technical change, with a specific focus on Artificial Intelligence. It frames the aims, rationale and tools of industrial and innovation policy, recognising that industrial development and competitiveness are greatly affected by policy actions at multiple levels, from local to international. It explores how governments create innovation incentives, address sectoral and spatial polarisation, and navigate global trade contexts. It places particular focus on AI and digital technologies, using concepts from innovation studies. The module combines both historical and forward-looking insights to identify commonalities and differences among radical changes and their implications for energy, information and goods and services production and distribution. Seminars critically discuss policy development, rationale and limitations in emerging and developing countries.

Module learning outcomes

Critically analyse the theoretical foundations and practical implications of industrial and innovation policy responses to radical technological change.

Evaluate the effectiveness of industrial and innovation policy interventions across different institutional, sectoral and developmental contexts.

Synthesise understanding of how radical technologies reshape economic and social systems, institutions and labour markets.

Critically evaluate policy trade-offs in governing radical innovation and formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.

TypeTimingWeighting
Coursework30.00%
Coursework components. Weighted as shown below.
Group PresentationT2 Week 11 100.00%
Computer Based ExamSemester 2 Assessment70.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Spring SemesterSeminar2 hours01010101010
Spring SemesterLecture2 hours11111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Xiangming Tao

Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/559903

Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.