Thinking, Learning, and Consciousness in Humans and Machines

(2 Credits)

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence are transforming our world today. This course will bring together eminent thinkers in seven separate week-long modules to talk about how these new technologies are transforming the relationship between humans and the machines we create. Students will hear from prominent specialists who are developing ever more powerful algorithms, experts who are researching the promises and pitfalls of AI in practice, as well as those who can speak to broad questions about how all this affects our view of human consciousness while also addressing the question of whether we should even think of mind and machine as separate categories. Finally, we will also ask whether the past history of human technology can suggest what the future holds for AI and our society. This course is part of the NYU Big Ideas series and will be offered in Fall 2020 only.