1
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Introduction
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This week introduces the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI), its definition, and its growing role in society.
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Participants will explore key themes that will recur throughout the course, setting the stage for more specialized discussions in the following weeks.
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2
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AI and Sustainability
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Remote learning
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Students will read materials examining how AI is being applied to address environmental challenges and enhance sustainability initiatives. The discussion will include AI’s role in optimizing resource management and improving efficiency in sectors such as energy and agriculture.
Read: Crawford (2021), Chapter 1.
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3
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AI & Education
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This week focuses on the impact of AI on educational systems, including personalized learning, assessment methods, and the use of AI in curriculum development. Case studies will demonstrate how AI is reshaping the future of education at different levels
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Fieldtrip
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4
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Data
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Students will explore the importance of data in AI development, including the ethical issues surrounding data collection, storage, and use. The session will also cover data governance frameworks and the technical challenges of managing large datasets.
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Crawford (2021), Chapter 3.
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5
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Privacy
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This session examines the privacy concerns associated with AI, discussing regulatory approaches and the tension between innovation and individual rights. The role of AI in surveillance and the challenges of protecting personal data will be critically examined.
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Article 19 (2021) Emotional Entanglement:
China’s emotion recognition market and its
implications for human rights.
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6
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Classification
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Participants will learn about the role of AI in classification systems, including machine learning techniques used in categorizing data. The discussion will focus on both the technical processes and the societal implications of automated classification systems.
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Read: Crawford (2021), Chapter 4
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7
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Public Holiday
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8
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AI and State
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Participants will study the relationship between AI and state governance, exploring how governments use AI for decision-making, policy enforcement, and public administration. The week will also consider the regulatory frameworks guiding AI deployment in state functions.
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Read: Crawford (2021), Chapter 6
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9
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AI and Power Relations
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This week examines how AI is reshaping global and domestic power structures. Participants will explore AI’s influence on geopolitical dynamics, economic power, and social hierarchies, with a focus on power asymmetries in technology development and access.
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Read: Crawford (2021), Conclusion
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10
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AI and Minorities
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The session addresses the implications of AI for minority communities, with an emphasis on bias in algorithms and unequal access to AI technologies. Case studies will illustrate the real-world effects of AI on marginalized populations.
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Case studies will illustrate the real-world effects of AI on marginalized populations.
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11
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AI and Industry
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Participants will explore the application of AI in various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. The discussion will focus on AI’s role in automation, productivity enhancement, and innovation within these sectors.
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The discussion will focus on AI’s role in automation, productivity enhancement, and innovation within these sectors.
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12
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Human Rights
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This session examines the intersections between AI and human rights, including issues related to freedom of expression, privacy, and discrimination. Participants will engage with debates on how AI can both support and challenge human rights protections.
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Participants will engage with debates on how AI can both support and challenge human rights protections.
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13
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AI & Disinformation
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The focus this week is on the role of AI in the spread and detection of disinformation. Students will explore AI’s dual potential to exacerbate the problem and provide solutions through automated fact-checking and content moderation.
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Read: DSET (2024) GenAI and Democracy: AI-Driven Disinformation in Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election and Lessons for the World.
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14
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AI in China
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This week provides an overview of AI’s development and deployment in China, including its integration into government surveillance, economic strategy, and international relations. The session will also discuss China’s AI regulatory landscape and global influence. |
Read: Matthew Johnson (2023), China’s Grand Strategy for Global Data Dominance
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15
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Public Holiday
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16
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AI & Courts
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Students will examine the role of AI in legal systems, focusing on its use in judicial decision-making, legal research, and predictive justice. The week will also address the ethical and procedural challenges posed by AI in the courts.
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Read: Stern, R. E. et al. (2021). “Automating Fairness? Artificial Intelligence in the Chinese
Court.” Columbia Journal of Transnational Law 59: 515-553.
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17
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AI & Policy
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This session discusses the growing role of AI in policy-making, from regulation to governance frameworks. Participants will explore how governments and international organizations are responding to AI’s rapid development and its societal implications.
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Fieldtrip
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18
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Conclusion
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Remote learning
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The final week synthesizes the key themes of the course, reviewing how AI interacts with and influences various sectors of society. Participants will reflect on the challenges and opportunities AI presents for the future, preparing them for further research or professional application in the field.
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