Courses Detail Information
PHIL2800J – Ethics of AI
Instructors:
Credits:
3 credites
Pre-requisites:
ENGL1000J
Description:
In this course, students delve into the intricate ethical landscape surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through a blend of theoretical exploration and practical case studies, the course navigates
the moral implications of AI technologies. Foundational ethical theories and frameworks are examined, applied to contemporary AI dilemmas such as algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and autonomous decision-making. Discussions also probe the societal impacts of AI, including job
displacement and socioeconomic inequality. Through critical analysis and debate, learners develop a nuanced understanding of the responsibilities inherent in AI development and deployment. By the course’s end, students emerge equipped to navigate the ethical complexities of the AI-driven world.
Course Topics:
1. Defining AI, its history and its main elements in relation to ethics
2. Introducing normative ethical models for the ethics of AI: Virtue Ethics; Deontology; Utilitarian approach.
3. Novel approaches for the ethics of AI: Information Ethics; Postphenomenology, Value-Sensitive Design.
4. Ethics for AI: defining an ethical framework for analyzing the cases.
5. AI as a tool vs AI as a moral entity.
6. The ethical implications of ‘Black box’ problem and the question of transparency. Case – Artificial Neural Networks and their decision making.
7. Algorithmic biases and its ethical implications. Case – AI recommendation systems.
8. The problem of responsibility in today’s AI systems (part 1). Case – different types of machine learning techniques and its consequences for the problem of responsibility.
9. The problem of responsibility in today’s AI systems (part 2). Case – automated vehicles;
10. AI and privacy. Case – Big Data and Training Data for AI.
11. LLMs and the problem of intellectual rights, creativity and authorship.
12. AI and science. How does novel Large Language Models are transforming the process of generating scientific knowledge.
13. AI and the value of justice. Case – AI systems in court.
14. AI and Robotics. Ethical issues related to the usage of Robots.