Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (PHIL*3370)

Code and section: PHIL*3370*01

Term: Winter 2022

Instructor: Gus Skorburg

Details

Method of Delivery:

In person

Course Synopsis:

Emerging technologies powered by Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science increasingly influence significant aspects of our lives including where we go to school, who we date, where we work, who we talk to, what news we read, how we are entertained, and more. The philosophical discipline of Ethics is concerned (among other things) with the question: How should we live a good life? Through a careful study of some ethical traditions (Virtue Ethics, Confucian Ethics, Buddhist Ethics) applied to contemporary problems raised by AI (social media, robots and automation, autonomous vehicles, the singularity, etc.), we will explore whether and how we can live well in the midst of rapid technological advancement.

Assignments & Means of Evaluation:

Weekly Responses (30% of final grade)
Mid-term Essay Exam (30% of final grade)
Final Research paper (30% of final grade)
Engagement (10% of final grade)

Required Textbooks:

Vallor, Shannon. (2016). Technology and the virtues: A philosophical guide to a future worth wanting. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780190498511. Additional readings will be posted as .pdfs on CourseLink

* Please note:  This is a preliminary web course outline only.  The Philosophy Department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.