Artificial Intelligence, Society, and Global Challenges (Taught)

Why Lancaster?

• Study AI from a unique interdisciplinary perspective that lies at the intersection of technology and humanities

• Develop the skills, knowledge and experience to understand, communicate and react to AI’s global impact

• Study for a career in a fast-paced industry, where new roles are constantly being created

• Work collaboratively with students across our suite of master’s courses to build your own interdisciplinary professional network

• Acquire practical, hands-on-skills to use and work with cutting-edge AI technologies

• Learn global leadership skills that will equip you to make an impact in this field

What does the rapid escalation in AI capabilities and implementation mean to society? What are the major concerns at local, national and global level? What are the current and potential future benefits? Lancaster’s MA in Artificial Intelligence, Society and Global Challenges will equip you to engage with these questions and prepare you for a wide variety of roles in this rapidly expanding sector.

A multi-disciplinary approach to AI innovation
This course bridges technological advancement in AI and the impact it is having on the world around us.

The acceleration of AI innovation across the globe has triggered fears of loss of control, privacy, and human value. How valid are these fears? How may they be countered? What sectors are being impacted? And what ethical considerations should we take into account when evaluating the use of AI in society?

By exploring humanity’s enduring fascination with creating intelligence machines and examining the latest applications across sectors, you’ll gain the skills to tackle AI’s challenges while critically assessing its benefits. Knowledge of critical concepts, theories and practices drawn from across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, will help you to understand the views of different stakeholders and unravel the complexities at the intersection of AI and society.

Collaboration in practice
This master’s course is one of a series of four interconnected courses that have a common ethos and structure.

You’ll take part in subject-specific modules designed to build in-depth knowledge of AI technology, society and global challenges. You’ll assess, engage in and create responses to real-world issues.

In studio modules you’ll work collaboratively with other course participants on live briefs. You’ll develop practical, hands-on-skills to use and work with cutting-edge AI technologies, assess ethical dimensions, and unpack the societal costs and benefits.

For some modules, you’ll join with students from other master’s cohorts on projects that will develop your leadership skills by using generative, collaborative thinking to create innovative solutions that are relevant to diverse external stakeholders.

Working with students from our other cohorts will bring you into contact with those specialising in global affairs, sustainability and the environment, and health and medical humanities . You’ll experience the benefits that harnessing skills and knowledge from diverse groups and subjects can bring.

You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your final project to draw on your academic, personal or professional experience. A range of innovative assessment types will give you the freedom to represent your chosen topic creatively and persuasively.

A new type of leader
With its dedicated leadership module, this course prepares you for a future as a collaborative change-maker. The course challenges traditional views of leadership. It adopts an understanding of inclusive leadership that is grounded in critical, creative and collaborative skills. This reflects the School of Global Affairs’ holistic and humanistic way of thinking.

By taking this interdisciplinary approach and engaging in the discourses of leadership ethics in relation to AI innovation, you’ll be equipped to perform a wide array of roles in this rapidly evolving domain.