ECE 59500 - AI, Ethics, and Society

Note:

This course is classified as non-technical and therefore does not count toward the required 15 credit hours of ECE coursework for MSECE students or the required 18 credit hours of combined ECE and CS coursework for MSSWE students. The listed textbook is available in full-text online through the Purdue Libraries.

Course Details

Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3

Areas of Specialization:

  • Computer Engineering

Counts as:

  • EE Elective
  • CMPE Selective - Special Content

Normally Offered:

Each Fall

Campus/Online:

On-campus and online

Catalog Description:

This course will introduce students to ethical issues associated with the development, deployment, and use of AI. The course includes attention to fundamental technical and philosophical concepts, and provides opportunities to practice applying ethical principles to specific cases. The course is designed to enhance students' own moral and ethical commitments, and enhance their ability to identify ethical issues in the design and use of AI tools and systems. The course features extensive hands-on learning, reading, reflection, writing, and discussion.

Required Text(s):

  1. Oxford Handbook of Ethics of AI , Eds. M. Dubber, F. Pasquale, and S. Das , Oxford University Press , 2021 , ISBN No. 0197601448

Recommended Text(s):

None.

Learning Outcomes

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated:

  • an awareness and understanding of key ethical issues and debates most salient for AI
  • a knowledge of and the ability to apply foundational ethical frameworks and principles, including general professional codes of conduct and AI-specific ethical standards
  • an ability to critically analyze AI systems and tools, including identification of potential ethical, social, political, legal, sustainability and other concerns
  • written communication capabilities at the level of "emerging" or higher (as defined by the Purdue Core Curriculum guidelines)

Lecture Outline:

Lectures Lectures
1 Course welcome, overview, and introductions
3 History of AI; Defining AI; Introduction to fundamental technical concepts
2 Philosophical foundations: Philosophy of mind & philosophy of computation
2 Engineering Ethics 101: Standards, frameworks, and principles
6 Contemporary issues, debates, and cases in the philosophy and ethics of AI
1 Exam #1
2 Exploring AI ethics through futures research and science fiction
2 The Big Questions: AI and singularity, accelerationism, and more
2 Polarities: Malicious uses of AI vs. AI for social good
2 Policymaking and other macro-level strategies for governing AI
4 Local strategies for creating responsible, accountable, trustworthy AI systems
1 Course wrap-up and Exam #2 review

Assessment Method:

Quizzes, homework, exams (4/2025).