Students who are successful in this course will:

1. Describe basic approaches to machine learning.

2. Identify issues of bias that affect artificial intelligence.

3. Practice creative approaches to problem-solving to prepare them for meeting future challenges with artificial intelligence and technology.

4. Create and evaluate arguments about the promises and effects of artificial intelligence.

What is AI, anyway? We tend to think about AI in terms of science fiction creatures with human-like thinking abilities. But what is the reality? We will examine the range of machine learning applications and learn some basic machine learning programs to really see how it works.

Who does it hurt and who does it help? AI is widely seen as able to make decisions more quickly and objectively than humans can. But the truth is, only some people benefit, and others are harmed. How does this happen? What would it mean to create “AI for justice?”

Thinking outside the (computer) box: One challenge that we can face (in our jobs, in our lives) is that we struggle to imagine how things could be different. What kinds of skills can we practice to improve our ability to be creative problem solvers to better address the negative consequences of AI?

Imagining a future with AI Given what we’ve learned about AI, what can we do? If we assume that particular views of progress are not inevitable, then what? We will put our understanding of AI and machine learning and our new creativity skills into practice by arguing for new and different options for how we might live with AI. How might we focus on creating AI that is overwhelmingly beneficial for humans?