Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

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 on 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 to make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.

30 points

Permission of the Head of Department.

COSC443 and PHIL425

Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

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 on 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 to make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.

15 points

Subject to approval by the Head of Department.

COSC443, PHIL424, PHIL359

Data Ethics

This course is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex ethical considerations that arise in the rapidly evolving field of data science. You’ll learn to identify, evaluate, and mitigate ethical data issues, exploring concepts such as autonomy, wellbeing, justice, confidentiality, and informed consent. Using a case-based approach, you’ll become confident using data ethics principles at every stage of data analysis to guide your practice, from planning, processing, and sharing analyses. This course has a particular focus on data sovereignty, exploring how data ethics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi connect, looking at Maori sovereignty, partnership and justice. You’ll walk away with a framework to guide your work with data, helping ensure that your processes are appropriate, ethical and impactful.

10 points

Entry subject to approval by the Head of School.

Bioethics B

This course will examine bioethics in theory and practice by looking at practical ethics problems facing health care workers and policy-makers. Topics will include consent and competence, privacy and confidentiality, ethics committees, research ethics, emergency situations, and public health and resource allocation.

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

HLTH407, HLTH434

Bioethics A

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

HLTH407, HLTH433

Research Essay

30 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

PHIL481; PHIL485

Research Essay A

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

PHIL481; PHIL485; PHIL480

Research Essay B

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

PHIL481; PHIL485; PHIL480

Philosophical Landmarks

This course is about major new discoveries and developments that have occurred in philosophy - developments that forever changed how philosophers approach major questions in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of mind, ethics (including, e.g., climate change and intergenerational justice), and the philosophy of language. Topics covered will vary from year to year depending on student interest; these may include groundbreaking discoveries by philosophers such as Quine, Kripke, Putnam, Lewis, Nagel and Davidson, as well as the work of earlier philosophers.

30 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

PHIL343

Meaning, Mind, and the Nature of Philosophy

This course aims to teach the central skills of philosophy-creative thinking plus precision. We look at deep philosophical questions through the eyes of several of the most challenging philosophers of the 20th and 21st centuries. For example: Do we think in words? If I say 'I'm in pain' or ‘I see blue’, do you really know what I mean? Can humans or machines learn to speak ‘Whale’? Is human-level AI possible? How can we talk about what doesn't exist-tomorrow, Harry Potter, or the possible world where you win $50 million on Lotto? Is there an impossible world where you can square the circle? Why does every attempt to solve a philosophical problem simply raise more problems, sometimes even worse ones?

30 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

PHIL311

MA Dissertation

MA Dissertation

60 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

MA Thesis

120 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

MSc Thesis

120 points

Subject to approval of the Programme Coordinator for Philosophy.