Description
This course focuses on philosophical and ethical issues pertaining to Artificial Intelligence. The course consists of 12 sessions (±150mins) distributed over six days (3 online / weekend / 3 at UT). The first set of sessions will concern technical aspects and operational principles of AI systems. These sessions will be led by experts in the field of computer science, communication studies, and informatics. The second set of sessions concern the large variety of philosophical and ethical issues related to AI. Topics include epistemological issues related to transparency, explainability, and knowledge production; political issues related to (data) ownership, responsibility, and social implications; ecological issues related to energy use and sustainability; and ethical issues related to bias, privacy and value change. Lecturers are experts in the field of philosophy of technology and ethics of AI.
Students get a firmly grounded understanding of how AI systems operate in theory and practice, as well as the leading philosophical and ethical perspectives regarding wider implications of such systems. The course focuses on fundamental philosophical and ethical questions surrounding the contemporary discourse on AI. These fundamental issues are discussed in light of current developments in AI and associated research by the lecturers. This includes issues like:
- The implications of AI for considerations of (human/non-human/posthuman) intelligence.
- The idea and meaning of explainability
- The transformation and reification of values and biases due to the increasing implementation of AI
- The articulation, reframing, and distribution of responsibility in AI.
- The technological mediation of the distinction between private and public, particularly in terms of private and public identities.
Practical Information
- Primary target group PhD students, ReMa students
- If places available also open to Postdocs
- Type of activity Online and in person seminar
- Certificate credit points 5ECTS
- Organizer Nolen Gertz (n.gertz@utwente.nl) & YJ Erden (y.j.erden@utwente.nl)
- Location University of Twente
- Date October 7 @ 12:00
- Venue Online, Twente
Program
Program TBA.
The lectures for October 7-9 will be online, and for October 12-14 will be on campus at the University of Twente.
October 7 – 10.00-12.30 Olya Kudina (TU Delft), Online
October 7 – 13.30-16.00 Vincent Blok (Erasmus), Online
October 8 – 10.00-12.30 Joanna Bryson (Berlin), Online
October 8 – 13.30-16.00 TBD, Online
October 9 – 10.00-12.30 Emily Sullivan (Edinburgh), Online
October 9 – 13.30-16.00 Olivia Guest (Radboud), Online
October 12 – 10.00-12.30 Dennis Reidsma (UT), Twente
October 12 – 13.30-16.00 Doina Bucur (UT), Twente
October 13 – 10.00-12.30 TBD, Twente
October 13 – 13.30-16.00 Ciano Aydin (UT), Twente
October 14 – 10.00-12.30 Nolen Gertz (UT), Twente
October 14 – 13.30-16.00 YJ Erden (UT), Twente
Preparation and Assessment
Required preparations:
- 80 hours of reading assignments;
- Mandatory attendance;
- 1.500 word paper/blogpost final assignment.
Assessment:
- Please note that ReMA students will be graded on their paper/blogpost.
Costs and Registration
Costs:
- Attendance is free for members of the OZSW, 4TU and other research Dutch research schools in the humanities (LOGOS).
- All others must pay a participant fee of 300 euros.
How to register:
- Members of the OZSW: make sure you are logged in on the OZSW website. After you have successfully registered for the course, it will appear in your ‘profile page’.
- PhD researchers and ReMA students may register via the registration button on the OZSW website.
- Postdocs may apply for a waiting list (as the primary target group for this activity is PhD researchers/ ReMA students) by sending an email to secretariaat@ozsw.nl.
The registration for this course opens May 1st, 2026 and closes on September 14, 2026. If registration has been closed because the maximum amount of participants has been reached, you can submit your name to the waiting list by sending an email to secretariaat@ozsw.nl. Please also indicate whether you are a ReMA student or PhD candidate and whether you are a member of the OZSW or not.
The OZSW registration and cancellation policy applies to this activity (to be found here).
Organizers
- Nolen Gertz (n.gertz@utwente.nl)
- YJ Erden (y.j.erden@utwente.nl)