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| Semester | spring semester 2019 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Stephen Weymouth (stephen.weymouth@unibas.ch) |
| Content | We are entering an age of transformational technologies driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Advances in computer science and robotics create machines that can drive, diagnose, build, and “think”. AI promises new conveniences, more efficient production, and material and cultural bounty. AI will also fundamentally change manufacturing processes and services delivery, potentially eliminating jobs and increasing inequality. Unless properly managed, the AI economy may create deep economic and political conflict between its beneficiaries and those left behind. Left unchecked, these divisions threaten crises to governance, global capitalism, and geopolitics. This course surveys the AI economy and its potential implications for firms, governments, and society. We assess the emerging business tools and strategies relying on machine learning and algorithms. We review recent developments in the economics of AI, with particular focus on which jobs AI will likely replace and the reasons why. We explore differences in AI deployment across countries and regions, and their implications for international economic relations between the US, China, and the EU. The course concludes with an exploration of the seismic political shocks that may arise from AI-induced unemployment and widening inequality. We evaluate policy proposals to forestall these threats to democratic governance. The class meets for eight sessions, which combine lecture, discussion, and student presentations. The class will be highly interactive and each student is expected to participate in each meeting. Successful contributions to the course require that you complete the readings prior to the session for which they are assigned. |
| Bibliography | Baldwin, Richard. The Globotics Upheaval: Globalization, Robotics, and the Future of Work. Oxford University Press, 2019. Lee, Kai-Fu. AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order. Houghton Mifflin, 2018. Please estimate a cost of $50 for the purchase of literature. |
| Weblink | Weblink |
| Admission requirements | Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Economics (Einführung in die Volkswirtschaftslehre, 10130) Globalization and European Integration (Globalisierung und europäische Integration, 34504) |
| Course application | All applications have to be processed through the Summer School office. Please fill in the application form, which can be found on the weblink: https://wwz.unibas.ch/de/application-enrollment/ There will be an orientation for all Summer School courses on Wednesday, 27 February 2019; 18:00 -19:00 at the WWZ, Peter Merian-Weg 6. The online application is open from 28 February until 18 March 2019. Applications that are submitted by 6 March (23:59) will be handled on a priority basis. For more information please visit the Summer School website: https://wwz.unibas.ch/de/summerschool/ The enrollment for the course is at the same time the final registration for the exam! If there are still vacancies, we will accept late applications until 31 May 2019. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Business and Economics: Recommendations (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics) Electives Bachelor Business and Economics: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics) |
| Assessment format | end-of-semester examination |
| Assessment details | The grades are computed as follows: Contribution to the class (individual): 10% Final Exam (individual): 40% Presentations (group):30% Short paper (group):20% The final exam will take place on Monday, 29 July 2019, 12:15, WWZ Auditorium |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Registration/deregistration: faculty |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |