This course introduces students to the ethical, political and legal debates and transformations in relation to Artificial Intelligence and provides students with concepts and methods from the constructivist and interpretive social sciences to work towards responsible and democratic human-technology futures.

Through thematic discussions of readings, presentation and workshopping of writing-in-progress, and discussions with invited guests, this course brings together advanced students doing research is in science, technology and society to develop their knowledge and projects in community with peers, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty.

The seminar aims to inspire a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of expertise in society. Cross-fertilizing literature from science and technology studies (STS) and from activists’ movements, it focuses on contemporary controversies around emerging technologies and climate policy, where trust in science is said to be undermined (e.g. climate skepticism or anti-vaccine movements).