Generative AI: Practical Use & Ethical Considerations

3 credits

Generative AI tools are everywhere—yet most users lack a framework for understanding their implications. This interdisciplinary course combines critical analysis with hands-on workshops where students work with generative AI technologies (no coding required). Students can engage directly with these tools or examine them critically from a distance—both paths will develop informed perspectives. Students will explore key ethical and practical considerations: every interaction makes them unpaid data labourers, reliance on AI can hinder skill development, algorithmic bias perpetuates inequality, and these tools reshape classroom and workplace expectations. Drawing on real-world examples from health, justice, and education, students will gain the skills and understanding needed to navigate an AI-saturated world—grappling with its history, social impact, and environmental costs. AI Transparency Statement: This course description was co-designed with Claude, an AI assistant by Anthropic. This process consumed approximately 0.135 kWh of energy (~0.07 kg CO2) [equivalent of running a laptop for 2-3 hours] and generated training data for future AI systems without compensation to the human collaborator.