PHIL137-26S2 (D) Semester Two 2026 (Distance)

The Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

Computing technology has already revolutionized our lives and shows no signs of stopping. Algorithms are everywhere. Artificial Intelligence powered by our data is increasingly determining our lives. The implementation of this technology has leapt ahead of our understanding of its ethical, societal, legal, and political significance. From self-driving cars to autonomous weapons, data-brokers to the metaverse, no aspects of our lives will be the same again. In this course, you will learn about cutting edge work from both within and outside academic philosophy concerning the challenges posed by the ever-increasing use of computing technology and AI. Questions raised in the course include: Do tech companies violate our right to privacy when they harvest our data? Can automated algorithmic decision-making deliver us a future free of human bias? Could an Artificial Intelligence possess freewill?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:
(1) Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues related to Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.
(2) Identify and understand philosophical arguments in written text.
(3) Demonstrate ability to express an argument in written form.
(4) Demonstrate ability to apply ethical concepts to real-world applications.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Restrictions

Equivalent Courses

Course Coordinator

Elizabeth Stewart

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Creativity Exercise 25%
Bias and Justice Exercise 25%
Responsibility Exercise A 12.5%
Responsibility Exercise B 12.5%
Privacy Exercise 25%


Please check the course LEARN page for further details and updates.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $948.00

International fee $4,263.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All PHIL137 Occurrences

  • PHIL137-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026
  • PHIL137-26S2 (D) Semester Two 2026 (Distance)