For this fall semester of 2024, I took an interesting course titled “Philosophy in the Age of AI” as part of my Global Korean Studies minor. This seminar-style class, taught by Professor Park Jaekyung, is designed to explore ethical dilemmas and philosophical perspectives in the context of advancing technology and artificial intelligence.

The structure of the course is refreshing and interactive. Each session begins with a lecture delivered by Professor Park, setting the stage with thought-provoking questions and insights. One memorable moment from the first lecture was when she asked, “Is it ethical? Think about it again!” This sparked a dynamic Q&A session, followed by engaging student-led discussions. Such an environment requires students to participate actively, practicing their English speaking skills and engaging critically with the topic.

What makes this course so special is how accessible it is—not just for regular students but for exchange students too! Since most classes at Kangwon National University are taught in Korean, the Global Korean Studies department stands out by offering courses primarily in English. It was a great chance for me to improve my academic English skills, which is a big change from my computer engineering classes that are mostly lecture-heavy and in Korean.

The course syllabus covered a wide range of topics, beginning with foundational philosophical theories and progressing into contemporary ethical issues in technology:

• Introduction to the course.
• Aristotle: What is character?.
• J.S. Mill: Utilitarianism.
• Immanuel Kant: Deontology.
• The Trolley Problem: What is the right thing to do?.
• A.I. and Beauty Standards: K-Beauty, K-Pop, K-Drama.
• Technology and Ethics: FB, Instagram, SNS.
• Mid-term Exam: None; reflective discussions instead.
• A.I. in Society: Human resources, sex industry, education, childcare/elderly care, medical care, employment.
• ChatGPT and Selected Articles
• Student Presentations.
• A.I. Robotics in the Food Service Industry: Impact and policy considerations
• Final Term: Final presentations and papers

This course is all about looking at how our values as humans stack up against the rapid growth of technology. It’s surprising how often we face tricky ethical questions just by relying on the internet and gadgets every day. There’s no boring textbook here, just short articles and fun videos that keep the discussions chill and flexible!

Also, you’ll work on presentations and short papers that focus on critical thinking and sharing your own ideas. No need to worry about traditional exams here, the goal is all about understanding and reflecting. Discussions often include ideas from famous philosophers, pushing us to think about our actions in this fast-moving, AI-driven world.

For me, this class was a real eye-opener! I’m so used to the one-way lectures in most Korean university courses, so the two-way discussions here felt super refreshing. It helped me not only understand myself better but also think deeper about the fast-changing tech-driven world we live in.

If you are a student at Kangwon National University or planning to study here, I highly recommend exploring courses like this. Not only do they provide a different academic experience, but they also help you grow personally and academically. By the end of the semester, you may discover a new perspective on ethics in technology and, more importantly, on yourself.

Overview

• Course name: Philosophy in the Age of AI
• University: Kangwon National University
• Professor: Park Jaekyung
• Language: English
• Textbook: None
• Assignments: Presentations & Short Papers
• Exams: None
• Overall comment: A place to understand ethics and grow personally

Course Name: Philosophy in the Age of AI

This course dives into the big questions about technology and morality. It’s all about looking at artificial intelligence (AI) from a philosopher’s point of view. Imagine talking about robots, ethics, and famous thought experiments like "The Trolley Problem." Pretty cool, right?

University: Kangwon National University