Being Human in an AI World
Course Description
We are living in unprecedented times of technological advancement that will fundamentally transform the meaning of work, identity, life and death—in short, what it means to be human. We have seen that AI is a huge disruptor to our world in good and bad ways. As a young person today, you might be wondering what your life’s purpose is if AI will potentially replace whatever professional or creative aspirations you currently have. You might also be wondering how to adapt AI in ethical ways that are truly beneficial for humanity and the planet as a whole. If so, this course is for you.
During our time together, we will explore some of the most pressing ethical and existential questions connected to AI through diverse materials, including: cutting-edge literature on AI ethics, philosophical texts from Buddhist and other non-western traditions where the human is no longer positioned at the top of an ecosystem, as well as science-fiction and other creative works imagining what our future might be. Through our discussions, we will create our own roadmaps for how we want to ethically be in relationship to AI and other forms of technology, and what definitions of being human we want to live by going forward.
The course will culminate in a unique project of your design (creative, exploratory, even technological), where you integrate key themes from our class to reflect on your unique perspective of what being human in an AI world means. We will have the opportunity to workshop your projects for peer and instructor feedback several times throughout the quarter. My goal is to ensure you come out of this class with a project that you are proud of. Those who are interested in contributing to a close-knit and supportive community will benefit the most from this class. I especially welcome those interested in creating projects that straddle the arts, technology, or other mediums. No previous experience or knowledge are required, but curiosity and openness are a must.
Meet the Instructor: Elaine Lai
"For me, creative expression is at the heart of what makes being human/being alive joyful, and how I experience freedom. As an instructor, I blend my experiences as a Buddhist studies scholar, a Buddhist practitioner, and also a creative writer into the design of our course and the mentorship that I offer. My hope is that you will come out of our course feeling empowered, more connected in the world, and also with a few new friends who you might have for life.
"As a Buddhist studies scholar, my work explores how different notions of time and embodiment in Buddhist literature informs different expressions of freedom. I have headed a few technological projects related to Buddhism which have informed my ethics for how to responsibly integrate AI into my own workflows. Outside of academia, my creative work draws from my research in Buddhist studies and my own transformative life experiences as an Asian American who has lived in over seven countries. Most of my stories wrestle with the question of how marginalized bodies can be free and experience joy within the constraints of violent and wounded societies."
