Module Description

“Artificial Intelligence,” or “AI,” is suddenly everywhere, and so are opinions about it. This module provides a very brief introduction to AI and some of the controversy that surrounds it.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this module, you should

1. Understand how the terms “artificial intelligence,” “generative artificial intelligence,” and “machine learning” are used in computing
2. Be able to distinguish between the useful things AI can do and “AI Hype”
3. Understand efforts to identify, categorize, and mitigate AI harms
4. Understand what “responsible AI” might look like for both developers and users

Dates and Activities

Monday, March 2

Before class

• Read What is Artificial Intelligence.
• Read Cal Newport, “What Kind of Writer is ChatGPT?”.
• Read Walden, “The Ponds,” “Baker Farm,” “Higher Laws.”
• Choose a paragraph in one of the chapters assigned for March 2. Feed the paragraph to the chatbot of your choice. Ask the chatbot some questions about the paragraph. (Decide for yourself what questions to ask.) Write a comment on the paragraph reporting anything interesting that came out of your chat with the bot. Did the chat yield any interesting insights? Did it feel like the bot got anything wrong about the paragraph or was misleading in any way? (If, on principle, you would prefer not to use AI, you can simply select a paragraph for comment and offer your own reflections on it.)

In class

• We’ll discuss artificial intelligence.

Class work: In your folder for 3-2, share a journal file for the day (.md extension) containing your notes from the day’s discussion.

Wednesday, March 4

Before class

• Read Deep Learning and Neural Networks.
• Read Alva Noë, “Rage Against the Machine”
• Read, Ted Underwood, “Liberally-educated students need to be more than consumers of AI”

In class

• We’ll continue our discussion of artificial intelligence and do some hands-on work with AI.

Class work: In your folder for 3-4, share a journal file for the day (.md extension) containing your notes from the day’s discussion.

Friday, March 6

Before class

• Read AI Hype, AI Harms, and Towards Responsible AI.
• Read Schneier and Sanders, “Can You Trust AI? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t”

In class

• We’ll continue our discussion and do more hands-on work with AI.

Class work: In your folder for 3-6, share a journal file for the day (.md extension) containing your notes from the day’s discussion and hands-on work.