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Ethics in AI & Robotics2026VT, 6.0 credits
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Course plan
No of lectures
6-9 seminars (exact number depends on number of participants)
Recommended for
This is an interdisciplinary course mainly intended for PhD students in cognitive science, computer science, design and related disciplines. PhD students who have a strong interest in AI and/or robotics, but come from other research areas (e.g.,science & technology studies, gender studies, or applications of AI in education, healthcare, etc.), are also very welcome.
The course was last given
The course was last given autumn 2024 (with the title "AI & Robot Ethics") and got a very positive evaluation then, with 100% of the participants rating the course overall as “excellent” (67%) or “very good” (33%).
Goals
The main goal is to familiarize students with different ethical issues, theories and models relevant to artificial intelligence and robotics, in particular human interaction with autonomous technologies such as social robots, automated vehicles, virtual agents, chatbots, etc.
Prerequisites
Some background/interest in AI, HCI, HRI and/or cognitive science - and a strong interest in understanding societal implications of AI and robotics. The course does not necessarily require much technology/computing background, so PhD students interested in AI and robotics from the perspective of other research fields (e.g., science & technology studies, gender studies, or applications of AI and robots in education, healthcare, etc.), are also very welcome.
Organization
The course mainly consists of student presentations and seminars discussing recent books and articles.
Contents
The course addresses different ethical issues, theories and models relevant to AI and robotics, with a focus on human interaction with autonomous technologies such as social robots, automated vehicles, virtual agents, chatbots, etc. The course combines background literature on different ethical theories and frameworks with recent articles on current research issues (e.g., explainable AI, trust) and current debates of societal relevance (e.g., automated vehicles, autonomous weapon systems).
Literature
The course includes the following books:
- Bartneck et al. (2020). An Introduction to Ethics in Robotics and AI.
Springer (open access).
- Coeckelbergh (2020). AI Ethics. MIT Press.
Plus a number of journal articles and book chapters. A detailed list will be
provided at the beginning of the course.
Lecturers
Tom Ziemke
Examiner
Tom Ziemke
Examination
Mandatory student presentations, active participation in seminar discussions, and some written coursework at the end of the course.
Credit
6 hp
Comments
Can be given on Zoom if there are non-local participants (and might in that case include a physical meeting at LiU in the beginning or the end of the course). Most seminars will take place on Friday afternoons.
Page responsible: Anne Moe
