Course directory

K2SP 3285 - Digital economics: Platform, Data and Artificial Intelligence

K2SP 3285 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours magistral
Number of hours
24
Credits
4

Information

Description

This course explores how digital technologies transform market structures, business models, and regulatory challenges. It focuses on platforms, data, and artificial intelligence, examining their impact on competition, pricing, innovation, and labor. Students will learn to analyze how platforms shape economic interactions and how public policy can respond to emerging tensions around privacy, market power, and digital sovereignty. The course combines conceptual tools with real-world case studies to understand the evolving digital economy. Each session is grounded in academic literature and connects theory to current policy debates.

Prerequisites

There is no specific pre-requisite for the course. Some knowledge of microeconomics and/or industrial organization and/or simple economic mechanisms will help. It would also be helpful to have some knowledge on basic econometrics

Teaching format

Slides, Moodle, In-class activities and discussions.

Assessment

The evaluation will consist of:

(80%) a group project on a chosen topic, allowing students to deepen their theoretical knowledge throughout the semester and apply it through various exercises: (1) a short literature review (5–10 academic papers), (2) an analytical assignment based on the review, such as an empirical

synthesis, theoretical reflection, replication study, or cross-country policy comparison, and (3) a final report and an oral presentation of 15 minutes followed by a Q&A

(20%) a short individual MCQ (Multiple choice questions) in class

Workload

Students are expected to review course content regularly, read selected scientific articles and public policy reports, and prepare for the final assessment by taking notes and engaging critically with assigned materials.

Readings

Main readings 5

  1. Brynjolfsson, E., & Kahin, B. (2000). Understanding the Digital Economy: Data, Tools, and Research. MIT Press.

  2. Crémer, J., de Montjoye, Y.-A., & Schweitzer, H. (2019). Competition Policy for the Digital Era. European Commission Report.

    Read online

  3. Goldfarb, A., & Tucker, C. (2019). Digital Economics. Journal of Economic Literature, 57(1), 3–43.

    Borrow

  4. Parker, G., Van Alstyne, M., & Choudary, S. (2016). Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy – and How to Make Them Work for You. W.W. Norton & Company.

    Borrow

  5. Tirole, J. (2020). Digital Dystopia. American Economic Review, 111(9), 2882–2924.

Further readings 7

  1. Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2019) – The Wrong Kind of AI?, NBER Working Paper.

    Read online

  2. Acquisti, A., Taylor, C. R., & Wagman, L. (2016). The Economics of Privacy. Journal of Economic Literature, 54(2), 442–492

    Borrow

  3. Katz, M. L., & Shapiro, C. (1985). Network Externalities, Competition, and Compatibility. American Economic Review, 75(3), 424–440.

    Read online

  4. Rochet, J.-C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform Competition in Two-Sided Markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990–1029

    Read online

  5. Scott Morton, F. et al. (2019). Committee for the Study of Digital Platforms: Market Structure and Antitrust Subcommittee Report. Stigler Center, University of Chicago.

  6. Shapiro, C., & Varian, H. (1999) – Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy

    Borrow

  7. Varian, H., Farrell, J., & Shapiro, C. (2005). The Economics of Information Technology: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press. (Raffaele Mattioli Lectures)

    Borrow

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
16310Cours magistral Digital economics: Platform, Data and Artificial Intelligence Vincent LEFRERE, Enxhi LEKA244

Teachers

  • Vincent LEFRERE
  • Enxhi LEKA