TIK2015 ¨C AI and the Politics of Technology

Course content

AI and digital technologies have taken on key roles in contemporary societies. But how do technologies shape politics and engage publics, and what are the controversies and effects as they are put to use? What are the insights offered by different disciplines and research fields? This course will introduce you to social studies of the AI and digitalization and, more generally, the interplay between technology, infrastructures, and publics. This will include

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• an introduction to social studies on AI and the digital;
• conceptual approaches to AI in Science and Technology Studies (STS);
• empirical cases and issues, such as governance of AI technologies, sustainability of digital infrastructures, fairness in predictive modelling.

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Lectures and workshops will equip students with basic tools to understand social studies of digitalization and AI technologies.?

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• Insights on the interplay of technology, politics, and publics
• A general understanding of different forms of expertise and the politics of knowledge
• Knowledge on the history and social studies of digitalization and AI

Skills:

• Communication skills across different knowledges, approaches, and formats
• Introducing your own disciplinary approach to others
• Practical experience with multimodal presentations

Competencies:

• Ability to find and engage with STS literature on AI and digitalization
• Ability to understand and situate different forms of knowledge
• Ability to reflect on the role of one¡¯s own disciplinary training and background

Admission to the course

Students from The Digitalization Certificate will be prioritized. Others may apply as long as the course is not full.

Recommended previous knowledge

It is recommended that you have completed at least 60 ECTS of previous studies prior to enrolling in this course.

Teaching

Teaching will consist of lectures, seminars, a field visit, and workshops.

Examination

Portfolio exam consisting of 1) an individual reflection note (due at the end of week 4) and 2) a curated multimodal group presentation (given in a final workshop 1-2 weeks after the lectures ended)

Language of examination

English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Both parts of the exam count equally.?

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.