Philosophy, AI, and Innovation Seminar: AI and Human Autonomy
Description: The seminar will explore issues at the intersection of philosophy, AI, and technological innovation, co-taught by a philosopher and a technologist. The seminar will welcome a variety of visiting discussants from philosophy, computer science, and the technology industry throughout term. The focus will be on how a concern for human flourishing can be embedded in the global technology development pipeline, and on exploring how broader bridges can be built between philosophy and technology. The seminar is primarily aimed at philosophy graduate students and computer science graduate students but participants from other levels and areas are welcome. Topics include: truth-seeking AI, privacy, collective intelligence, decentralization in science and AI, and approaches to human autonomy. The seminar culminates in a clinic to facilitate grant applications for independent summer projects on the themes of the seminar.

Fast grants: New for this year, Cosmos Ventures has established a dedicated funding pool that seminar participants can apply to for independent summer building projects on related themes.

Prerequisites: please email HAI Lab philipp.koralus@philosophy.ox.ac.uk no later than April 27th with a (very) brief explanation of your interest in the seminar to reserve a spot, and the subject line “TT Seminar”. Space limited to maintain quality of discussion.

Readings:
● Humboldt, The Sphere and Duties of Government, Ch. 2, “Of the Individual Man and the Highest Ends of his Existence”
● Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Volume 2, Part 4, Ch. 6, “What Kind of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear”
● Maples, “Designing for Human Autonomy in an Age of AI” (presentation of research and framework for design)
Date: 10 June 2025, 14:00
Venue: St Catherine's College, Manor Road OX1 3UJ
Venue Details: Top floor, Porter’s Lodge, St. Catherine’s College, Manor Rd, Oxford OX1 3UJ
Speakers: Mr Brendan McCord (Cosmos Institute, St Catherine's College (Oxford)), Dr Bethanie Drake-Maples (Stanford HAI)
Organising department: Faculty of Philosophy
Organiser: Prof Philipp Koralus (Philosophy, Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: aiethics-hailab@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Host: Professor Philipp Koralus (University of Oxford)
Part of: Philosophy, AI, and Innovation Seminar
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://hailab.ox.ac.uk/event/philosophy-ai-and-innovation-seminar/
Booking email: philipp.koralus@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Cost: free
Audience: Public
Editors: Marie Watson, Bethany McWhinnie