In the first third of the course, we will trace the roots of AI through Alan Turing’s classic question, “Can machines
think?” and explore how early conceptions of intelligence continue to shape today’s debates. We will then turn to
Shannon Vallor’s The AI Mirror to consider how metaphors of mind and intelligence shape our ethical imagination,
and to Karen Hao’s Empire of AI to examine the real-world conditions of AI production—its social inequalities, labor
practices, and environmental costs. The remainder of the course focuses on contemporary ethical issues: trust and
responsibility in AI systems, the role of bias and transparency, and how technology can both empower and
constrain human agency. Weekly readings will include a mix of academic and public-facing texts.
Last update: Skladanová Nikola, Mgr. (13.01.2026)
In the first third of the course, we will trace the roots of AI through Alan Turing’s classic question, “Can machines
think?” and explore how early conceptions of intelligence continue to shape today’s debates. We will then turn to
Shannon Vallor’s The AI Mirror to consider how metaphors of mind and intelligence shape our ethical imagination,
and to Karen Hao’s Empire of AI to examine the real-world conditions of AI production—its social inequalities, labor
practices, and environmental costs. The remainder of the course focuses on contemporary ethical issues: trust and
responsibility in AI systems, the role of bias and transparency, and how technology can both empower and
constrain human agency. Weekly readings will include a mix of academic and public-facing texts.
