AI in the Real World: Data, Power, & Society

Course Banner generated by Google Gemini EDU by prompting it with the summary of the course and asking it to make a banner image for the course from a neutral perspective The above image was generated by Google Gemini EDU using the course summary to create a banner.

📘 Course Description

This course explores the complex interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and modern society. Students examine AI’s applications, limitations, and implications across ethics, policy, economics, employment, and justice.

Through readings, case studies, and case designs, we critically analyze how these technologies influence and are influenced by our decisions and interactions. We will trace the uses of these technologies at various times and in various domains, including education, healthcare, and criminal justice, and consider their impacts on individuals and communities.

Our aim is develop a nuanced understanding of AI’s role in our society and to become critical pragmatists who can navigate the ethical, social, and political dimensions of AI in our personal and professional lives.

Data, Tools, Practices, and Actions

We will use the Data, Tools, Practices, and Actions (DTPA) framework to explore these relationships. A diagram of the DTPA framework is shown below, illustrating the relationships between data, tools, practices, and actions. We include the progression from historical, to contemporary, to future-oriented case studies to help you understand how these relationships evolve over time.

Diagram of the DTPA framework showing the relationships between data, tools, practices, and actions.

🎯 Quick Links

Alternative Course Banners

Below we asked Google Gemini EDU to create two additional banners from the perspective of someone who is worried about AI and someone who is optimistic about AI. These banners represent the often presented ends of the spectrum of perspectives on AI, but they are not the only perspectives.

Through this course, we will explore a range of perspectives and complications that lead to a nuanced and contextual understanding of AI’s impact on society.

Course Banner made by Google Gemini by prompting it with the summary of the course and asking it to make a banner image for the course from the perspective of someone who is worried about AI. Prompt: Using the course description and the uploaded banner image, create an alternative course banner image for CMSE 101 from the perspective of someone that is deeply worried about artificial intelligence.Course Banner made by Google Gemini by prompting it with the summary of the course and asking it to make a banner image for the course from the perspective of someone who is optimistic about AI. Prompt: Using the course description and the uploaded banner image, create an alternative course banner image for CMSE 101 from the perspective of someone that is quite optimistic about artificial intelligence.

Accessibility

We strive to ensure that all course materials are accessible to everyone. Materials appear as this website, which has controls for font, text size, contrast, and screen reader compatibility. Additionally, the course materials are available in multiple formats, including MS Word and PDF.

For questions or further accommodations, contact your Danny Caballero.