Artificial Intelligence and societal transformations

Modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be seen as a series of advances in the fields of computer science, applied mathematics and statistics; however, as AI is increasingly embedded into software and products and is enabled by the availability of data and complex hardware technologies, it becomes the engine of profound changes in the way our societies and economies work. As with previous technological breakthroughs, the societal transformations they produce can be identified, unpacked, and put in context.

This course will provide you with the tools to do that. The contents are organized around two main sections.

In the first section (Lectures 1-2-3), you will develop an in-depth understanding of how AI models work; combining explanations and guided hands-on tasks, you will dissect how neural networks are built and function, and learn the foundations of natural language processing (NLP), currently the most advanced and successful trajectory of AI development.

In the second section (Lectures 4-5-6), we will build on the technical understanding of AI to unpack its societal impacts. We will take a “bird’s-eye view” on what AI production and adoption implies in terms of economic incentives and business opportunities, re-organisation of labour, production activities, as well as scientific activities. We will track current evolutions in the AI market, and explore how AI is implemented in different sectors. We will also discuss what are the societal costs we are bearing while developing such transformational innovation — in terms of new inequalities, biases and risks, and environmental toll.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded 3 ECTS.

This course was co-developed by the EUR-ELMI and the EFELIA team (École Française de l'Intelligence Artificielle) of the Institut 3IA Côte d'Azur.

• In-person lectures
• Case studies (real-world applications)
• Practical exercises
• Moodle

Students’ progresses will be assessed continuously throughout the course (contrôle continu). More information on the assessment modes will be provided at the beginning of the course.

• We recommend that you bring your own laptop to each session.
• You will need a Google account and the Google Chrome browser.

• The relevant literature for each class will be indicated on Moodle in advance. For the Lectures 4-5-6, students will be asked to read seminal or recent academic papers.
• A general reading to prepare for Part 2 is: Vannuccini, S., & Prytkova, E. (2023). Artificial Intelligence’s new clothes? A system technology perspective. Journal of Information Technology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/02683962231197824 (available on Moodle).

• TUT'TOP : peer tutoring on methodological, social, administrative or logistical issues.
• écri+ : to improve your written French.
• Centre de ressources en langues : to improve your foreign language skills (French or other).
• METODA : to improve your documentary research skills.
• S'orienter / Se réorienter : to be advised by the university's career counsellors.
• Centre de santé et aide sociale : to look after your physical and mental health, and to seek support in the event of social hardship.
• Cellule Handicap : support for students with disabilities.
• Plateforme de signalement : to report acts of violence, harassment or discrimination (sexual and gender-based violence, LGBTphobia, racism, xenophobia, etc.) you have witnessed or experienced at the university, and to get support.