Artificial intelligence has the potential to reshape many aspects of society, including what it means to work, create, learn, and connect. This course prepares learners to critically analyze the ethical and societal implications of these changes, anticipate possible futures, and make thoughtful decisions about the development, use, and governance of AI systems. Topics include labor and automation, including historical perspectives on how technology reshapes industries and what AI might mean for the future of work; how AI could transform learning and education, and what risks those transformations might pose; the impact of AI on human creativity and notions of authorship; and companionship and social connection in the context of AI systems such as chatbots. Learners will also engage with speculative and practical approaches to AI ethics, exploring possible future trajectories, identifying risks and tradeoffs, and considering how human choices shape the paths we take.

AI Ethics and Society's Future
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AI Ethics and Society's Future
This course is part of Artificial Intelligence Ethics Specialization

Instructor: Casey Fiesler
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What you'll learn
.Analyze societal impacts of AI across multiple domains using historical context, case studies, and research.
Critically evaluate AI systems and deployments by identifying potential benefits, harms, tradeoffs, and the human choices that shape those outcomes.
Explore possible AI futures and apply ethical approaches to anticipate risks and imagine better outcomes.
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May 2026
6 assignments
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University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder
Status: PreviewLund University
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