Spring 2023
SOCIOL 190 004 - SEM 004
Seminar and Research in Sociology
Artificial Intelligence&Society: The Promises and Limits of Technological Futures
Skyler Wang
Class #:17240
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Sociology
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
2
Enrolled: 23
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 25
Waitlist Max: 0
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
2 hours of student-instructor coverage of course materials per week, and 10 hours of outside work hours per week.
Course Catalog Description
Advanced study in sociology, with specific topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester.
Class Description
Little of our lives today remains untouched by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which makes understanding its reach and influence on society increasingly pertinent. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to critically dissect AI's origins, proliferation, and ubiquity from social, political, and philosophical angles. We explore questions such as: what makes intelligence of this kind ‘artificial,’ and how does it differ from other types of intelligence, such as those embodied by humans or animals? What is the relationship between AI, machine learning, big data, and algorithms? Should we really worry about AI becoming ‘sentient’ or ‘superintelligent’? How can we critically examine the production processes and organizational makeups of AI to understand who it helps and leaves behind? And lastly, how should we think about imminence of the Metaverse, a digital society where decades of AI research culminate? By incorporating academic research, sci-fi literature, films, and a variety of guest lectures by AI practitioners, this course offers a dynamic look at the promises and limits of AI in delivering a utopic technological future.
Class Notes
Students are unable to directly enroll or wait-list into the Sociology 190 capstone seminars via Cal Central. Instead, students must fill out a 190 Placement Request form - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SP23_SOC190
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth
Meets the Carceral Geographies Course Thread
Meets the Culture and Globalization Course Thread
Meets the Historical & Modern City Course Thread
Meets the Humanities & Environment Course Thread
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None