Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world around us, but what does this label truly mean? While many technologies are branded as "AI", the term raises profound philosophical, social, and ethical questions. What is thinking? Can thought and intelligence exist without conscious experience? How far removed can a form of thinking or experience be from our own and still be recognized as such?
Beyond philosophical puzzles, the rise of AI also introduces pressing practical dilemmas. As algorithms and machine learning systems increasingly influence decisions in areas like banking and criminal justice, do they promote fairness, or could they exacerbate, or even create, problems? With the most “intelligent” machines, such as self-driving cars or healthcare robots, who should be held accountable if something goes wrong? And as machines become more advanced, will they have to be granted rights of their own?
Using readings, discussion, and a variety of activities and projects, this course invites students to explore these wide-ranging issues, offering a thought-provoking journey into the philosophical depths and real-world implications of AI in our society.