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79387-01 - Seminar: Contemporary Debates in Bioethics: The Ethics of Automated Systems Across Critical Industries (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Bernice Simone Elger (b.elger@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Zara Malgir (z.malgir@unibas.ch) |
| Content | Today, automation and AI shape decision-making processes across many sectors of society. From healthcare and education to energy systems, infrastructure, and politics, automated and AI systems increasingly influence how decisions are made, resources are allocated, and individuals interact with institutions. While these developments promise greater efficiency, innovation, and convenience, they also raise significant ethical questions. This seminar explores the ethical implications of automated and AI systems in socially critical domains. Experts from different fields will provide insights into how automated and AI systems are currently being implemented in practice and research. Students will engage critically with contemporary debates surrounding the opportunities, risks, and ethical challenges associated with these implementations. Each session will include a moderated discussion encouraging students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of automated and AI-driven decision-making and to consider how these issues intersect across different social and professional contexts. “Contemporary Debates in Bioethics” is a lecture series offered once every semester. Each installment focuses on a different aspect of current ethical debates and emerging societal challenges. In the Fall Semester 2026, the lecture series will focus on automation and AI. |
| Learning objectives | The goal of this seminar is to strengthen students’ AI literacy by examining, through an interdisciplinary approach, how automated and AI systems are being integrated into social and research contexts, and by critically reflecting on the ethical challenges that arise from their use. |
| Comments | Mondays, 12:15-13:45, from 5.10.2026 - 7.12.2026 USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3, Spitalstrasse 21, 4056 Basel |
| Admission requirements | The seminar series is open to both University of Basel students and the general public. University of Basel students who wish to receive 2 ECTS credits must register for the course via the Course Directory and fulfill the requirements necessary to obtain a “pass” (see “Hinweise zur Leistungsüberprüfung”). Participants who are not University of Basel students, or who do not wish to receive ECTS credits, may attend the sessions either in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent a few days before each session. If you have any questions concerning the format, learning objectives, or participation requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Zara Malgir via email at (z.malgir@unibas.ch). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 05.10.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 12.10.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 19.10.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 26.10.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 02.11.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 09.11.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 16.11.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 23.11.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 30.11.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 07.12.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Modules |
Aufbaumodul (Teil C) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Basismodul (Teil A) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Doctorate Biomedical Ethics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biomedical Ethics (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Doctorate Nursing Science: Recommendations (PhD subject: Nursing Science (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Electives Master Nursing: Recommendations (Master's Studies: Nursing) Module: Practical Philosophy (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) Specialization Module Global Europe: Global Ageing and Health (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The seminar is graded as “pass” or “fail.” To receive a “pass” students are expected to: 1. Attend at least 80% of the sessions and participate actively. o University of Basel students: Attend in person; online participation permitted up to 2 times. o EUCOR students: Online participation permitted for all sessions. 2. Prepare for each session by reading the suggested texts (uploaded on ADAM) and submitting a short preparatory discussion question before 80% of the sessions. 3) Critically evaluate a significant ethical challenge with implementing either automation or AI in a Critical Domain. No possibility to repeat graded submissions; active participation and timely submissions are required for a pass. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: teaching staff |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Medicine |
| Offered by | Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik |