LN334 Artificial Intelligence, Languages and Cultures
| Module Code: LN334 |
|---|
| Module Name: Artificial Intelligence, Languages and Cultures |
| Module Coordinator: Cecilia Piantanida |
| Term |
| Module Credits: 15 |
Module Description
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What is its history? What are the cultural and societal implications of AI? How does AI affect the way we think about language, humanity, and the world? This module addresses these questions by exploring the critical intersections among Artificial Intelligence, languages, cultures, and societies. It first examines the history of AI and its various manifestations from the Middle Ages to the present, emphasizing its deep connection with language and writing. It then explores diverse narratives of and about Artificial Intelligence in the arts across time and cultures—including literature, cinema, the visual arts, and music—analysing how these narratives negotiate different perspectives on AI in relation to originality, authenticity, humanity, and social justice. The analysis will include Generative Arts, which employ algorithmic techniques and AI as a tool, as well as artworks that reflect on the societal and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence in the present and future.
Students will be encouraged to discuss these topics and consider the role of AI in contemporary culture and society through the lens of critical theory on AI, critical digital humanities, and posthuman, postcolonial, and environmental humanities theories. Seminar preparation will involve weekly practical tasks in which students will use machine learning and generative artificial intelligence to develop various types of analyses and artefacts, providing opportunities to experiment with a wide range of AI tools and explore their diverse applications.
Module programme
Indicative module outline*
Week 1: What is Artificial Intelligence?
Week 2: Narratives on and of Artificial Intelligence
Week 3: Artificial Intelligence and Languages from the Middle Ages to modernity
Week 4: Artificial Intelligence and Languages today: ethical questions for the present and the future
Week 5: The Work of Art in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Artificial Intelligence and Humanity
Week 8: Artificial Intelligence, Originality and Authorship
Week 9: Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice
Week 10: Artificial Intelligence: Future Scenarios
*This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Individual sessions’ topics may change from year to year to reflect the fast developing AI landscape.
Assessment for the module
Assignment 1 (30%): AI Portfolio and critical reflection (1250-1500 words)
Students will select and curate a portfolio of three seminar outputs developed using machine
learning and AI tools during the module. The portfolio will focus on a specific theme or topic and will be accompanied by:
1) A written introduction (500 words) explaining the rationale behind the selected outputs.
2) A critical reflection (750–1000 words) on students’ engagement and collaboration with AI tools.
Assignment 2 (70%): Student devised creative project, including:
1) A student-devised creative project responding to one or more artworks studied
and critically engaging with key themes and theories covered in the module.
2) A 10-minute video presentation on the project, including an explanation of the chosen medium, what tools and technologies were used and why, and a critical analysis of how the piece engages with the artworks, themes, and theories explored in the module.
