Practical Project: AI Revolution: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Business 4219-PP111

This practical project course introduces humanities students to the most significant challenges posed by the revolutionary development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The aim is to enhance interdisciplinary curiosity and practical skills through critical examination and hands-on projects. Students will explore how AI impacts various sectors, including future job markets, emerging professions, and business transformations.
The course will highlight how human beings interact with AI technology and how it influences socioeconomic aspects of the world. The dual challenge and goal of these sessions are: first, to exercise interdisciplinary curiosity by critically examining the current state of science, technology and its limitations, and second, to explore the possibilities and possible issues related to public control, existing legal and ethical norms.
Throughout the course, we will seek answers to the following questions:
● What do we mean when we talk about artificial intelligence? What is NLP? What does machine learning mean? Why does any of this matter?
● How does culture and government policies keep up with technological changes? What does this mean for cultural studies? What should we pay the most attention to?
● How AI is transforming the economy, education and cultural environments?
● How can AI influence politics, businesses, groups and individuals when used with malicious intent?
● How can artificial intelligence improve our lives? How can we ensure it does?
During the semester, students will develop a project related to artificial intelligence. As we will achieve social contract the
deliverables will include 2-3 items from the below list:
Group Presentation: "Mindblowing AI - The Most Amazing/Terrifying Application of AI"
● Students will research and present on the most astonishing or frightening AI applications, discussing potential benefits and risks.
Debate Preparation and Discussion: "Will AI Make the World a Better Place?"
● Students will prepare arguments for and against AI's impact on the world, engaging in a structured debate to explore diverse perspectives.
Legislation Project: "AI Legal Oversight - Balancing Innovation and Public Control"
● Students will draft principles for AI legislation and write a memo balancing public oversight and innovation.
Technical Enablers Presentation: "What Made AI Possible?"
● Students will investigate and present on the technologies that enabled AI, such as Internet connectivity, cloud computing, personal devices, semiconductors, and APIs.
Media Analysis Project: "AI in Media and Entertainment"
● Students will create a presentation analyzing how AI is used in media and entertainment, discussing the cultural implications and ethical considerations.
AI and Identity: "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Personal Identity"
● Students will write a report on how AI technologies impact concepts of personal identity, privacy, and self-expression.
Historical Perspectives: "Comparing Technological Revolutions"
● Students will write a comparative essay on the current AI revolution and past technological revolutions, identifying patterns and societal impacts.
Art and Creativity: "AI as a Creative Tool"
● Students will create a multimedia presentation on how AI is used in the arts, assessing its implications for human creativity and the cultural value of AI-generated art.
Cultural Heritage: "Preserving and Enhancing Cultural Heritage with AI"
● Students will develop a project proposal on how AI can be used to preserve and enhance cultural heritage, discussing the benefits and risks of AI in this context.
Social Justice and AI: "AI and Social Justice Movements"
● Students will write a research paper on how AI technologies are used in social justice movements, considering opportunities and challenges for advancing social justice.
Digital Divide: "AI and Access to Technology"
● Students will prepare a policy brief on the implications of AI on the digital divide, proposing solutions to ensure equitable access to AI benefits.