How does Artificial Intelligence change the world? An economic perspective on the digital revolution 2400-ZEWW1017-OG

This course aims to present students from various disciplines with the impacts of artificial intelligence on contemporary society, emphasizing economic aspects. Participants will explore how digital technologies alter production processes, labor markets, consumption patterns, and global trade. The course portrays AI as a general-purpose technology, akin to steam power or electricity, which fundamentally redefines economic structures and social life.
Topics discussed will include:
How AI systems work (in an accessible, non-programming approach),
How companies use AI for competitive advantage,
Changes in labor markets in the era of automation and platformization,
The increasing value of data as a resource in the 21st century,
How consumer decisions are influenced by algorithms,
Ethical, social, and geopolitical challenges related to AI development.
The course format includes brief theoretical introductions, case studies (Amazon, Netflix, Uber, TikTok), and problem-oriented discussions. The goal is to provide knowledge and foster critical thinking about the future of technology and the economy.
The course incorporates findings from recent research projects on digitalization levels and AI implementation in various sectors, including the AI4Retail project on retail transformation and studies of digitalization in hospitality and gastronomy. It will also utilize methodologies from the EDIH project regarding digital maturity mapping and preparing businesses to implement advanced technologies.

Type of course

general courses

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Śledziewska

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
K_W01 – understands basic mechanisms of artificial intelligence and its economic and organizational impacts,
K_W02 – knows the economic aspects of data utilization, process automation, and the digital economy.

Skills:
K_U01 – critically analyzes market and social changes resulting from AI development,
K_U02 – evaluates the impacts of digital technology applications on business models, labor markets, and industry structures.

Social competencies:
K_K01 – actively participates in discussions on technological and societal challenges associated with AI,
K_K02 – aware of ethical, social, and economic consequences of AI development and applications

Assessment criteria

Class participation (30%)

Final exam assessing critical thinking and independent argumentation based on course content; students respond to one reflective question chosen from the provided list (70%). Written

Bibliography

Mandatory:

Śledziewska, K., Włoch, R., "Gospodarka cyfrowa. Jak nowe technologie zmieniają świat", WUW, 2020.
Available online: DELab UW
or audio formats: Spotify, YouTube

Supplementary:

Agrawal, A., Gans, J., Goldfarb, A., "Prediction Machines", Harvard Business Review Press, 2018.

OECD, Digital Economy Outlook 2023.

McKinsey Global Institute, "The Economic Potential of Generative AI: The Next Productivity Frontier", 2023.

WEF, Future of Jobs Report 2024.

Lee, K.-F., "AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order", 2018.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2400-ZEWW1017-OG in USOSweb