Values in Science, Tech, AI

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

As science becomes ever more politically embattled, the question of what role social values should (or should not) play in science grows increasingly pressing. Simultaneously, new technological advancements (especially in artificial intelligence) raise questions about how we can ensure that technologies are deployed in ways that align with the right values—as well as who gets to decide what those “right” values might be. This class will draw from debates about values in science and technology from the later 20th into the 21st century, in order to shed light on how these issues might be addressed. We will explore topics such as the nature of scientific objectivity, the role of science in policy, and the ethics of technology. If, as many have argued, the “value-free ideal” for science is untenable, we will ask what an account of science and technology might look like that embraces a role for social values, while guarding against undue political influence and wishful thinking. Lessons from these debates will be applied to contemporary issues in science and technology, with an emphasis on the evolving field of artificial intelligence.