Global Algorithmic Development and Ethics

New generative models like ChatGPT have a unique impact on global AI development and deployment. Like other machine and deep learning models, they promise unprecedented potential for growth, education, improved quality of life, healthcare, and communication. Yet, the massive world-wide opportunities of AI also present risks and potentially harmful social impacts. This course explores the promise and peril of AI systems from global, non-Western perspectives, drawing on the expertise of global AI ethicist Dr. Nakeema Stefflbauer, who will lead many course sessions to elaborate on global, relational perspectives of developing and impacted communities. Starting with the scholarship of Stanford HAI researchers, course participants gain an overview of AI growth on a global scale. Students explore non-Western ethics highlighting perspectives of the Global South considering successes like Africa's Masakhane, Lelapa.AI and case studies in the Arab world, Latin America as well as problems of data sovereignty, labor conditions, and inclusion and marginalization. Students lead discussions of readings, write an original research paper, and/or present a poster or presentation on a topic of their choice.