PHIL359-26S2 (D) Semester Two 2026 (Distance)

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

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new and rapidly developing field that affects social media, military actions, the way we are governed, our criminal justice and health systems, and many other areas that impact our lives. In each of these areas, the use of AI can and will create situations that harm or benefit people and also non-human animals. Understanding the nature of these potential harms and benefits, their value and disvalue, and what can enhance, mitigate or remove them, can help make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.

From smart speakers and self-driving cars to predictive policing and mortgage lending, Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the way we interact with ourselves and each other. As individuals, organizations and governments increasingly integrate AI into their daily operations and decision-making processes, it is of utmost importance that we develop an understanding of when and why such integration is appropriate. What role should AI play in our individual and collective societies? What risks accompany the use of AI? Should we have AI friends? Is it morally permissible to use AI in warfare? In this course, we will explore these questions and more as we examine the ethical significance of AI with respect to issues of bias, fairness, privacy, autonomy, trustworthiness and care.

Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this course, students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues relate to Artificial Intelligence,
  • Demonstrate ability to engage in ethical reasoning and argumentation,
  • Demonstrate ability to identify and evaluate ethical arguments in written text,
  • Demonstrate ability to clearly and concisely express an argument in writing.

Prerequisites

Any 30 points at 200 level in PHIL or COSC, or
any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA or the BSc.

Restrictions

Course Coordinator

Elizabeth Stewart

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Review of Selected AI Application 10%
Identification of Key Stakeholders 10%
Ethical Assessment of Privacy 20%
Ethical Assessment of Bias 20%
Statement of Responsibility Allocation 10%
Social Impact Statement 10%
Ethics Recommendations Portfolio 20%


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 PHIL359 Occurrences

  • PHIL359-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026
  • PHIL359-26S2 (D) Semester Two 2026 (Distance)