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78306-01 - Seminar: (Gen)AI & Society (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Johanna Einsiedler (johanna.einsiedler@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course examines how AI—particularly large language models (LLMs)—is transforming work, occupations, and labor markets. Drawing on new empirical research, real-time economic data, and hands-on experimentation, we will study how AI is adopted in the workplace, how it changes productivity and task content, and how it may reshape the future of specific occupations. We will cover recent literature from economics, organizational behavior, and computer science. We will analyze and discuss exposure to AI tools, productivity effects, worker–AI complementarity, and early labor market adjustments. In addition we will critically reflect on ethical, governance, and societal implications, including inequality, bias, and public attitudes toward AI. This seminar will be a mixture of discussion and experimentation. Participants will be expected to read ±2 scientific papers every week, participate actively, lead discussions and design and run their own AI-based mini-experiments. Based on these, participants will be tasked to evaluate whether and how AI can augment or automate selected tasks within a chosen occupation. |
| Learning objectives | Understand how generative AI is being adopted across firms, workers, and occupations. Design and run AI-based mini-experiments and evaluate model outputs with attention to accuracy, hallucination risks, and failure modes. Critically discuss issues of bias, fairness, accountability, transparency, and safety in workplace AI applications. |
| Admission requirements | No prior coding experience is required. The number of participants is limited. In case of over-subscription, students of Digital Humanities will be given priority. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23.02.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Monday 02.03.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 09.03.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 16.03.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 23.03.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 30.03.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 06.04.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Ostern |
| Monday 13.04.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 20.04.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 27.04.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 04.05.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 11.05.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 18.05.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 107 |
| Monday 25.05.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Pfingstmontag |
| Modules |
Modul: Digital Humanities, Culture and Society (Master's degree subject: Digital Humanities) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | This course has a learning-by-doing format. Students must bring their own laptops to the course. Only two absences are permitted; medical attestation is required for further absences. Use of generative AI is encouraged. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Digital Humanities Lab |