The Ethics of AI
PHIL S354 (CRN: 30317)
Instructors: Max Lewis
Dates: Session A, May 26 - June 27, 2025
Course Mode: In-Person
Meeting Times: TTh 9.00-12.15
Distributional Requirements: Humanities
Eligibility: Open to pre-college and college students
In-person Course. In this immersive course, we explore the ethical challenges shaping the AI revolution. From understanding AI’s foundations to debating its most controversial uses, we critically engage with the pressing questions that define the future of technology and society. We explore three major sets of questions. First, we look at the moral permissibility of using and interacting with AI: Are AI algorithms biased, and if so, should we still rely on them? Do digital surveillance systems violate our right to privacy? Is it moral to use AI and robots in warfare? Could advanced AI even have moral rights? Second, we look at moral responsibility and AI: When AI causes harm—such as in war and self-driving car accidents—who should bear the responsibility? Finally, we look at AI and personal relationships: Is it wrong to use AI for grief counseling, love letters, wedding vows, or eulogies? Can true friendship or romance exist between humans and machines? This course gives you the opportunity to think critically, debate passionately, and gain the conceptual, technical, and ethical tools to navigate the AI-driven future. 1 Credit. Session A: May 26 – June 27. Tuition: $5270.
Yale Summer Session 2025