THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2026/2027

Draft Edition - Due to be published Thursday 9th April 2026

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Economics : Economics

Undergraduate Course: Economics of Artificial Intelligence (ECNM10126)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Economics CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course introduces some key concepts and major issues in the economics of AI for students with a knowledge of economic and econometric analysis at the undergraduate level. It emphasizes the potential impact of AI on key economic outcomes such as aggregate output, inequality and unemployment.
Course description This course will aim to chart our current understanding of the evolution of AI and its likely economic impacts. The course will cover (1) AI engineering, current capabilities and trends (2) AI Automation and (3) The Macroeconomic implications of AI. While the focus will be somewhat skewed towards theory, empirical evidence will be discussed where available. The course is taught through a programme of lectures and tutorials. An independent project will be important ingredients of the course.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Economics 2 (ECNM08006) OR Economics 2A (ECNM08029) AND Economics 2B (ECNM08030)
Co-requisites Students MUST also take: Essentials of Econometrics (ECNM10052)
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and models in the economics of AI, along with empirical evidence (where available) on and policy implications of those models and a deeper understanding of recent research activity in some more specialised areas.
  2. Research and investigative skills such as problem framing and solving and the ability to assemble and evaluate complex evidence and arguments.
  3. Develop communication skills in order to critique, create and communicate understanding.
  4. Demonstrate personal effectiveness through task-management, time-management, dealing with uncertainty and adapting to new situations, personal and intellectual autonomy through independent learning.
  5. Apply practical/technical skills such as, modelling skills (abstraction, logic, succinctness), qualitative and quantitative analysis and general IT literacy.
Reading List
The course readings will be based on recent academic papers.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Andrei Potlogea
Tel: (0131 6)51 3759
Email: Andrei.Potlogea@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information