Designing Virtuous AI: Practicum

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

How can we design AI systems that foster human excellence rather than diminishing it? In this two-semester sequence of one-credit courses, students will encounter philosophical and theological perspectives on AI and human flourishing, learn methods for applying those ideas in software design, and then put them into practice within team-based, real-world projects that will be part of a hackathon competition in the spring. The first semester course is required; the second semester can (but need not) be taken for credit, though students are expected to help complete their projects regardless of whether they register for the spring course. In the first semester, students will be introduced to a virtue-ethics approach to technology design and evaluation, will learn how Catholic Social Teaching can inform technology assessment, and will be guided through a team-based, software design process that keeps virtues at the forefront. There are no formal prerequisites, though students are expected to have some experience in ethics and/or computer science. To keep project teams balanced, registration requires a short application. Apply online via the Institute for Social Concerns website: socialconcerns.nd.edu/courses. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until August 27th.