Emerging Tech Sci Fi

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course explores emerging technology and the societal implications through the lens of science fiction (Sci-Fi). Works of science fiction, such as short stories, film, and videos will frame the examination of human-like robots with Generative AI qualities, superpower suits, and digitally created worlds, such as the metaverse, and set the stage to understand and visualize the capabilities, limitations, and intended applications of each. Students will develop a familiarity with select emerging technologies and explore a more advanced combination of technologies, such as artificial intelligence (Generative AI/Large Language Models and Computer Vision), human augmentation, and virtual/augmented/mixed reality. In this rapidly developing space, the societal, ethical, security, and economic impacts of these technologies are integral to their application, so will be explored across the course. Through individual and group work, students will assess emerging technologies from a multidimensional perspective that includes security considerations, responsible use, and appraising both their impact on and utility to society.