Ethics of AI and Algorithms

In this course we will look at the ethical and social impacts of the development and application of AI and algorithms. While algorithmic decision-making is by now familiar, advances in generative AI has seen ubiquitous integration of these systems to domains as diverse as healthcare, education, social media, cybersecurity, warfare, politics, climate change, and entertainment. The rapid deployment of these technologies means their ethical and social implications have not been fully understood. We will use ethical frameworks to investigate how to develop and use these technologies equitably, while maximizing their benefits and minimizing potential harms. Because these technologies promise profound social change, critical rational reflection on their ethical and social impacts is crucial for responsibly guiding their integration into society.