Philosophy and AI
Course Meeting Time: MWF, 10:00-10:50
Meeting Place: JFH 106A
Instructor: Michael J Reno
Office: JFH 237
Office Hours: MWF 11-1
Email: mreno@umw.edu
Course Website: philai.michaelreno.org
Course Description:
This course examines philosophical assumptions and implications of artificial intelligence (AI). We will ask questions such as: Can machines attain consciousness? What constitutes identity for a machine? What are the ethical ramifications of AI development and deployment? How will AI reshape our political systems and the very fabric of society? Through readings, discussions, and creative projects, we will explore these complex issues and challenge our preconceived notions about consciousness, identity, values and AI, and some of the political questions raised by AI. Students will be required to complete a portfolio of work which includes the assignments below.
This course comes at a crucial time in the development of a potentially revolutionary technology. We will want to examine and confront our fears and hopes in the face of these technologies.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Understand some major philosophical debates surrounding AI.
Critically evaluate arguments about AI consciousness, identity, ethics, and politics.
Apply philosophical concepts to real-world AI applications.
Develop their own creative projects that engage with philosophical questions about AI.
As a digitally intensive course at UMW, students will, in the course of developing these philosophical skills, also develop the ability to:
Successfully locate and critically evaluate information using digital tools including LLMs and traditional online sources.
Use digital tools, including LLMs, our course websites, to safely, ethically, and effectively produce and exchange information and ideas
Creatively adapt to emerging and evolving technology.
Accommodation: People learn differently. So, meet with me early on if you have a documented disability and require accommodation OR if you have learning styles that you’re not sure have been met in the past. I will do my best to adapt to your learning style. If you wish to request specific accommodations, you should also contact the Office of Disability Resources in 005 Seacobeck Hall, email: odr@umw.edu and phone: 540-654-1266. All information regarding this, whether discussed with me or the Office of Disability, will be kept confidential.
Required Readings:
All readings will be available online unless otherwise noted.
Grading and Assignments:
In-class participation (10%): besides discussions in class, there will be in-class writing and reflection assignments.
Weekly Blog Posts (40%): Students will write 1-2 times weekly reflecting on the readings, in-class prompts and discussions, or colleague’s blog posts. Sometimes I will give specific prompts or directions, other times, these will be completely up to you. These posts will be published on your own website. We will spend some time the first week or two setting up websites.
Bot Development (10%): Students will develop their own bot using tools at playlab.ai (or other freely available LLM(s) at the time of the course). Students will link to the bot on their website.
Final Project (10%): Students will complete a creative final project exploring a philosophical question related to AI. This project can take many forms, such as a short film, a piece of interactive art, a demonstrated, functional bot, an online app, or a written essay.
Portfolio, including presentation (30%): Students will compile their weekly blog posts and final project into a portfolio that will be submitted at the end of the semester. In addition to the material compiled from earlier in the course, the portfolio will contain an introduction, a reflective essay, and a table of contents. The portfolio will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Originality: The portfolio demonstrates independent thought and a unique perspective on the course material.
Depth of Reflection: Blog posts and the final project examine the philosophical issues, going beyond mere summarization to offer critical analysis, personal views, and self-reflection.
Quality of Presentation: The portfolio is well-organized, clearly written, and effectively utilizes multimedia elements where appropriate.
Engagement with Course Themes: The portfolio demonstrates a thorough understanding of the core concepts and themes discussed throughout the course and one’s development in relation to these.
Rough Course Schedule. I will adapt our reading and discussion schedule based on course discussions and blog posts. You’ll want to check on the schedule frequently at the course website: philai.michaelreno.org.
Week 1: Course Introduction. Some Basics in Philosophy and AI. Course Website signup and deployment. Visit from DKC. Begin AI and Consciousness Unit.
Weeks 2-4: AI and Consciousness.
Selections (some reading, some videos) from Alan Turing, John Searle, David Chalmers, Susan Schneider, Daniel Dennett, Peter Godfrey-Smith.
Weeks 5-7: AI and Identity. Topics include algorithms and social media behavior, personal identity, narrative identity, and social relations with AI.
Selections from Shoshona Zuboff, Susan Schnieder, Eric Schwitzgebel, Derek Parfit, Elisabeth Camp, John Danaher.
Weeks 8-10: Ethics and AI. Topics will include algorithmic bias, AI alignment,
Selections from Mark Cocklebergh, Nick Bostrom and Eliezer Yudkowsky, Ruha Benjamin,
Weeks 11-13: Politics and AI. Topics will include the future of work, privacy, transhumanism, and AGI.
Week 14: Portfolio workshop in-class.
Week 15: Portfolio Presentations.
AI
The specific assignment will specify whether, and if so, how, you may use AI in the completion of an assignment. This too is governed by the honor code. Even if an assignment allows for the use of AI, you are responsible for checking its output for problems like bias and making shit up. Whenever you do use AI, it must be cited, including the prompts you used and the replies that the AI produced. I expect that we’ll be using AI in the course, but always with an eye toward investigating or testing some idea, hunch, suspicion, or intuition. As such, the key will be our reflection on what AI did in light of those preliminary ideas.
TITLE IX
University of Mary Washington faculty are committed to supporting students and upholding the University’s Policy on Sexual and Gender Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence. Under Title IX and this Policy, discrimination based upon sex or gender is prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex or gender-based discrimination, we encourage you to report it. While you may talk to me, understand that as a “Responsible Employee” of the University, I MUST report to UMW’s Title IX Coordinator what you share. If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, please contact the below confidential resources. They can connect you with support services and help you explore your options. You may also seek assistance from UMW’s Title IX Coordinator. Please visit http://diversity.umw.edu/title-ix/ to view UMW’s Policy on Sexual and Gender Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence and to find further information on support and resources.
Ruth Davison, Director of Compliance and Title IX/ADA Coordinator
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(540) 654-5656
rdavison@umw.edu
tix@umw.edu
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Confidential Resources
On-Campus
Talley Center for Counseling Services
https://students.umw.edu/counseling/
Tyler House, 540-654-1053
Student Health Center
Lee Hall 112, 540-654-1040
Off-Campus
Empowerhouse
24-hr hotline: 540-373-9373
Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault (RCASA)
24-hr hotline: 540-371-1666