Philo­soph­ic­al Found­a­tions of Ar­ti­fi­cial In­tel­li­gence

Course content

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly part of business, society, and everyday life. AI-based tools filter and recommend masses of digital content, drive vehicles autonomously, predict consumer behavior, and even shape global governance. Behind these recent technical developments, however, lie foundational questions about intelligence, agency, rationality, values, and power. This course introduces students to the conceptual, philosophical, and ethical issues raised by AI, with a secondary emphasis on their implications for digitalization and organizational applications.

In this course, students will engage with foundational questions related to artificial intelligence, such as whether machines can be said to “think,” and how AI systems influence human decision-making, social interactions, and institutions. The course requires no prior background in philosophy or computer science and may be particularly suitable for students interested in philosophically-oriented job roles at technology companies. Successful course participants should be intellectually curious and enjoy discussing complex and abstract ideas. Students should expect a substantial reading component, which includes a selection of both classic philosophical texts and modern scientific and philosophical articles on AI.

Key themes of readings and class discussions include:

What is intelligence? Could machines be conscious or creative? What do AI systems reveal about human cognition?

How should we govern AI systems? Can AI systems be biased, racist, or unjust? Who is responsible, morally and legally, for an AI agent’s decisions?

How do AI systems reshape labor markets, privacy, autonomy, and democracy? Could advanced AI pose risks to human flourishing or even survival?