First Year Forum Workshop: Artificial Intelligence and the Liberal Arts

This is a First Year Forum workshop, led by computer science faculty member Darcy Otto. We begin by examining how artificial intelligence is already embedded in everyday life, reflect on your own recent interactions, and consider how much of AI’s presence is visible versus invisible.

Then we shall turn to consider what AI actually is, describing neural networks as layered systems of simple computational units trained through adjusting weights. By connecting this basic structure to the scale of modern systems, we consider how contemporary AI operates without appealing to notions of human-like understanding.

The emphasis throughout is critical inquiry. Students will engage questions about AI’s impact on creativity, education, and society, with the aim of developing a more precise and grounded framework for thinking about its role in the world.