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AI and Philosophy

AI raises numerous questions in the philosophy of science and ethics, ranging from human control and responsibility to transhumanism and digital determinism. Prominent examples include autonomous driving, caregiving robots, and robots for surgical and military missions. Based on the expertise gained in numerous events on machine ethics, risk management, and the relationship between science and public, the Zentrum für Wissenschaftstheorie (Center for Philosophy of Science) will develop AI-related tutorials and seminars and offer them across disciplines.

Courses

Within the General Studies, the Center for Philosophy of Science offers

  •     a two-hour seminar on the philosophy of science of AI in each summer term and
  •     a two-hour seminar on the ethics of science in AI in each winter term.

Both courses can be attended without prior knowledge. Prerequisite materials will be provided on the Learnweb. Further information, in particular on the allocation of seminar places and the acquisition of credit points, can be found here.

Seminar on Philosophy of Science of AI

Central topics of this seminar include:

  •     What is intelligence?
  •     Technical basics of AI and machine learning
  •     When can an AI system be called intelligent?
  •     To what extent is AI comprehensible to humans?
  •     AI and consciousness, and superintelligence

First, basic aspects of human and artificial intelligence are discussed. Based on this, we debate whether a machine can be intelligent and to what extent it equals or may even surpass human intelligence. Furthermore, we will discuss whether humans are able to interpret artificial thought processes and understand their results, or whether an AI is to be considered a black box with only trivial exceptions. Other topics that can be discussed are risks and chances of a so-called superintelligence as well as questions about the possibility of consciousness of machines. Aspects of different branches of philosophy relevant for the discussion, such as logic, epistemology, philosophy of science and ontology, will be provided in the respective parts of the seminar.

The seminar will be offered for the first time in the summer semester 2023.

Seminar on the Ethics of Science of AI

Central questions in this seminar are:

  • Who is responsible for AI decisions?
  • To what extent can and should AI be controlled by humans?

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in numerous areas of social life. From technologies that are already widely used today, such as self-driving cars and care robots, to technologies  whose widespread use is conceivable in the future, such as autonomous combat drones and automated drug discovery, many raise the potential of profound social change. This seminar will elaborate on the opportunities and dangers AI opens up and discuss the extent to which humans should and can control it. Other topics to be covered include the attribution of responsibility when an AI behaves in a harmful way and the adequate roles of research, economy, and government in the development and application of artificial intelligences.

The seminar will enable students to formulate and defend their own positions and to situate them in current debates.

This seminar will be offered for the first time in the winter semester 2023/24.