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1 - 10 of 14 results for: STS

STS 1: Introduction to Science, Technology & Society

The course introduces students to critical perspectives on the history, social context, epistemology, and ethics of science, technology, and medicine. The goal of the course is to learn about major concepts and methods from science & technology studies, introduced in the context of real-world issues. STS 1 is the required gateway course for the major in Science, Technology & Society, but is open to students from all departments and disciplines. A final paper will be required. There will be no final exam.
Terms: Win | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI

STS 10SI: Introduction to AI Alignment

As we delegate more and more societal responsibilities to Artificial Intelligence, we raise pressing ethical questions about what will happen if these systems aren't aligned with our values. Increasingly many AI experts across academia and industry believe there is an urgent need for both technical and societal progress across AI alignment, ethics, and governance to understand and mitigate risks from advanced AI systems and ensure that their contributions benefit humanity and the world. Intro to AI Alignment explores these questions in lectures and small discussion-based environments led by student facilitators with targeted readings, weekly quizzes and group discussions, and a small final project. After recapping recent advancements in AI development, we will start by exploring two sides of the AI alignment problem that prevent us from building AI systems that reliably understand and follow human-compatible values. Next, we'll discuss current harms from AI as well as risks that future more »
As we delegate more and more societal responsibilities to Artificial Intelligence, we raise pressing ethical questions about what will happen if these systems aren't aligned with our values. Increasingly many AI experts across academia and industry believe there is an urgent need for both technical and societal progress across AI alignment, ethics, and governance to understand and mitigate risks from advanced AI systems and ensure that their contributions benefit humanity and the world. Intro to AI Alignment explores these questions in lectures and small discussion-based environments led by student facilitators with targeted readings, weekly quizzes and group discussions, and a small final project. After recapping recent advancements in AI development, we will start by exploring two sides of the AI alignment problem that prevent us from building AI systems that reliably understand and follow human-compatible values. Next, we'll discuss current harms from AI as well as risks that future systems could pose and arguments for and against the importance of various AI safety work. Finally, we will learn about existing AI safety technical research, efforts to implement policy and governance measures that reduce AI risk, and how you can personally contribute to AI safety. Basic knowledge about machine learning helps but is not required. Enrollment is by application only. View the full syllabus and apply online at https://linktr.ee/stanfordaialignment by Sunday, Dec 17, 2023 at 9:00 PM PST.
Terms: Aut, Win | Units: 2
Instructors: Edwards, P. (PI)

STS 51D: Ethical STEM: Race, Justice, and Embodied Practice (AFRICAAM 151, ARTSINST 151C, CSRE 151C, ETHICSOC 151C, SYMSYS 151D, TAPS 151D)

What role do science and technology play in the creation of a just society? How do we confront and redress the impact of racism and bias within the history, theory, and practice of these disciplines? This course invites students to grapple with the complex intersections between race, inequality, justice, and the STEM fields. We orient to these questions from an artistically-informed position, asking how we can rally the embodied practices of artists to address how we think, make, and respond to each other. Combining readings from the history of science, technology, and medicine, ethics and pedagogy, as well as the fine and performing arts, we will embark together on understanding how our STEM practices have emerged, how we participate today, and what we can imagine for them in the future. The course will involve workshops, field trips (as possible), and invited guests. All students, from any discipline, field, interest, and background, are welcome! This course does build upon the STS 51 series from 2020-21, though it is not a prerequisite for this course. Please contact the professor if you have any questions!
Terms: Win | Units: 4-5

STS 132: Earth, Space, Bits: Debating the Nature and Future of Humanity

Are humans fundamentally symbiotic organisms who cannot exist apart from the rest of earthly life? Should humans try to alter their physiology in order to inhabit other planets? Or might the ultimate purpose of human existence be to leave organic biology behind entirely? This course explores a range of competing contemporary claims concerning the nature and future of humanity. It begins by reviewing the efforts of mid-20th century cybernetics to reconceive human beings as "complex information processing systems." It then traces how this redefinition has led to the development of several competing camps: an ecological wing that views human beings as complex systems that must achieve environmental homeostasis; a posthumanist wing that stresses the radical plasticity and adaptability of human organisms; and a transhumanist wing that seeks to unleash the potential of human information processes on a cosmic scale. Participants will have the opportunity to survey the scientific foundations of each position and debate their ethical and political implications.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-4
Instructors: Zimmer, D. (PI)

STS 158: The Science and Politics of Apocalypse (HISTORY 241F, POLISCI 232)

For millennia, an apocalypse has been just around the corner. This course examines how expectations surrounding the end of the world - and the role that human beings might play in bringing it about - have transformed over the last two centuries. After a brief look at traditional religious apocalypticism, we explore how apocalypse came to be reconsidered as an entirely this-worldly phenomenon that falls within human power to achieve and demands political attention. Along the way, the course addresses the discovery of entropy in the 19th century, development of the hydrogen bomb in the mid-20th, and the planetary science that has transformed the Apocalypse into a primarily ecological concern over the last half-century.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-4
Instructors: Zimmer, D. (PI)

STS 164: Ecosystems of Power: The Ethics and Influence of AI

How does Artificial Intelligence construct and reinforce social orders? How do human biases, values, and cultures shape AI? Starting with a descriptive introduction to different types and kinds of algorithms, we will first establish what AI is and what it does, on a technical level. With this shared framework in mind, we will then investigate how AI shapes, and is shaped by social interactions and imaginaries. Through scholarly works in the digital humanities, philosophy, internet studies, engineering, and popular culture, AI's influence on public perception, privacy, morality, popularity, equity, and justice will be critically examined. This course will feature guest lectures from controls engineers and others involved in using AI to protect science, technology, and society. Performance in this course will be evaluated through a data journalism project that asks students to peek behind the shiny User Interfaces of popular websites and identify how the code exerts power over various actors in the network.
Terms: Win | Units: 4
Instructors: Fox, A. (PI)

STS 191W: Doing STS: Introduction to Research

This seminar introduces key analytical approaches and methodologies in the interdisciplinary field of STS, as well as basic tools for designing and conducting original research in STS and related social sciences. Students survey a series of influential studies that examined the intersection of science, technology and society; identify productive questions of their own interest; and explore how to pursue them through strong research design. By completing smaller writing assignments throughout the quarter, you will produce a fully developed research proposal as final assignment. This final proposal can serve as an honors prospectus for students who seek to participate in the STS honors program. First week attendance is mandatory.
Terms: Win | Units: 4-5

STS 198: Independent Research

Independent research. Student develops own project with supervision by an STS faculty affiliate. Students must email Prof. Edwards with brief project description and name of faculty supervisor. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable for credit
Instructors: Edwards, P. (PI)

STS 199: Independent Study

Every unit of credit is understood to represent three hours of work per week per term and is to be agreed upon between the student and the faculty member. Instructor consent required. Please contact the department for a permission number.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable for credit

STS 199A: Curricular Practical Training

Students obtain internship in a relevant research or industrial activity to enhance their professional experience consistent with their degree program and area of concentration. Prior to enrolling students must get internship approved by the STS Program Director. At the end of the quarter, a one-page final report must be supplied documenting work done and relevance to degree program. Meets the requirements for Curricular Practical Training for students on F-1 visas. Student is responsible for arranging own internship. Limited to declared STS majors only. Course may be repeated twice. Instructor consent required. Please contact the department for a permission number.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1 | Repeatable 2 times (up to 2 units total)
Instructors: Edwards, P. (PI)
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