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55048-01 - Lecture: The Artificial Intelligence Economy: Business, Governance, and Society in the Age of Algorithms (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2021 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Stephen Weymouth (stephen.weymouth@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| 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. Technology will also fundamentally change manufacturing processes and services delivery, potentially eliminating jobs and increasing inequality. These effects are likely to accelerate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 other 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 political and governance challenges that may arise from AI-induced unemployment and widening inequality, privacy concerns, and algorithmic biases. We evaluate policy proposals to forestall these threats to democratic governance. The class meets for eight virtual sessions (via Zoom), 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/summer-school/howtoapply/ |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
| Comments | 2 until 12 August 2021 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 02.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 03.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 04.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Thursday 05.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Monday 09.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Tuesday 10.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 11.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Thursday 12.08.2021 | 14.00-16.30 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Business and Economics: Recommendations (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics (Start of studies before 01.08.2021)) Electives Bachelor Business and Economics: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics (Start of studies before 01.08.2021)) Modul: Wahlbereich in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics) Module: Technology Field (Master's Studies: Business and Technology) Wahlbereich innerfakultär: Zusätzliches Lehrangebot (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | The grades are computed as follows: Contribution to the class (individual): 30% Presentations (group):40% Short paper (group):30% |
| 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 |