Philosophy of Technology and Ethics of AI: From Alan Turing to the Age of Algorithms - YBAU076

• Anglický název: Philosophy of Technology and Ethics of AI: From Alan Turing to the Age of Algorithms
• Zajišťuje: Kurzy UPCES, CET (24-AJ EXT)
• Fakulta: Fakulta humanitních studií
• Platnost: od 2025
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 6
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:0/4, KZ [HT]
• Počet míst: neurčen / neurčen (4)
• Minimální obsazenost: neomezen
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Další informace: https://bakalar.fhs.cuni.cz/SHV-211.html; https://fhs.cuni.cz/FHSENG-1016.html#3
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán
• Garant: John Joseph Dorsch; Veronika Havlištová; Mgr. Nikola Skladanová
• Třída: Courses available to incoming students

Anotace

čeština

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.

Poslední úprava: Skladanová Nikola, Mgr. (13.01.2026)

Sylabus

This is one of the courses of the AEP programme (previously UPCES - the Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies); 
the comprehensive information is available at: https://bakalar.fhs.cuni.cz/SHV-211.html or https://fhs.cuni.cz/FHSENG-1016.html. It is designed for US students participating in the programme while Czech and international students of the Faculty of Humanities are welcome to select single courses from the programme.

Students are required to follow the instructions and requirements specified in the course syllabus, available at https://aeprague.org/academic-life/upces-courses-a-z

The AEP coordinators will inform enrolled students where to obtain the reading materials.

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Attendance is mandatory. Regular attendance is necessary in order to get credit and grade.

Courses are scheduled either twice (2x90 min.) or once (1x180 min.) a week in the CERGE-EI classrooms (Politických vězňů 7, Praha 1).

Exam Dates

Winter Semester: beginning of November (midterm exams); before the middle of December (final exams) according to the course syllabus

Summer Semester: end of March / the first half of April (midterm exams); the middle of May (final exams) according to the course syllabus

Poslední úprava: Skladanová Nikola, Mgr. (23.02.2026)

Vstupní požadavky

Prerequisites: This course mainly addresses to students with an economics background. Students without any economic background are advised to consult professors before enrolling.

Good knowledge of English and Mathematics is required.

Poslední úprava: Skladanová Nikola, Mgr. (23.02.2026)

Požadavky k zápisu

The teaching period in the AEP courses begins on February 16, 2026, according to the schedule of the particular course.

• Enroll in the SIS (registration in the SIS is required before attending the first class) & show up to the course within the first and/or second week (at least) of the AEP teaching period according to the schedule of the course. 

• Students can enrol in up to 2 AEP courses (YBAU coded ones) per semester in total.
• Degree students can attend these courses from the second semester of their studies onwards.
• For students enrolled at other CU Faculties, the AEP courses are available only if the course capacity allows (i.e. not all the places are used by FHS students); thus enrolment cannot be guaranteed in advance. Availability to be checked in the SIS when course registration opens.

Please note:

Organized in cooperation with a partner institution and programme, the capacity in this course might be low.

In order to allow other students to enroll, please do not forget to unregister from all the courses you decide not to take as soon as possible.

Please be aware that regular class attendance is mandatory.

Poslední úprava: Skladanová Nikola, Mgr. (23.02.2026)