CS202-6-SP-CO:
The Politics, Ethics and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
2025/26
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
28 April 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
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This module explores the political, ethical and philosophical issues raised by recent developments in artificial intelligence, such as the wide availability of generative AI functions and the increased use of AI in all areas of society.
It introduces students to some of the basic philosophical questions about the nature of AI and considers specific ethical and political challenges that the widespread availability and use of AI poses in different areas of social life, including at work and in our personal relationships. The module also examines whether AI may lead to changes in fundamental human values.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce students to key topics in the political, ethical and philosophical reflection on AI.
- To enable students to identify and critically examine problems that arise through the widespread availability and use of AI.
- To enable students to appreciate the different ways in which political, ethical and philosophical insights and skills can inform our evaluation of the impact of AI on modern societies.
- To give students tools to start formulating possible responses to the challenges identified in the module and to identify new challenges that have so far neglected.
By the end of the module, students will be expected to:
- Write insightful reconstructions of the challenges posed by AI and the arguments concerning these challenges that they have studied.
- Critically evaluate these challenges and arguments.
- Understand and critically assess the practical implications of such strategies and positions, and how they bear on on-going public debates and conflicts.
- Form their own informed opinions and suggest solutions to the complex challenges posed by AI.
Transferable skills
- Identify and process diverse (and sometimes conflicting) arguments and empirical studies.
- Compare and evaluate different arguments and assess the limitations of their own position or methods.
- Write and present verbally a precise account of strategies, arguments, and their presuppositions and implications.
- Be sensitive to the positions of others and communicate their own views in ways that are coherent and rigorous and accessible to them.
Indicative syllabus
- What computers can and can’t do (have consciousness, personhood, rights; think; etc.)
- Privacy, right to one’s own data or picture in the age of AI
- Algorithmic discrimination, use of AI in policing
- AI, Big Data and responsibilisation
- AI and the future of work (automation, labour market polarisation)
- Authenticity (does it matter whether we interact with a human or a computer, does it matter whether something was created by a human or a computer, etc.?)
- AI and climate change
This module will be delivered via:
Students are expected to undertake the reading before classes and be prepared to engage in discussion.
This module has a reading week.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Quizzes - best 2 of 3 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Essay (2000 words) |
22/04/2026 |
75% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Timo Juetten, email: tjuetten@essex.ac.uk.
PHAIS General Office: 6.130. Email: isugadmin@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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