Applied Philosophy of AI: Public Dialog on Future Practices

• Concepts of the digital, data, text, information, models, digitization, and computation
• The relation of computation to interpretation, meaning, understanding, emotions, and lived experience
• Stochastic patterns in generative AI and their relationship to human language use
• Design and implementation of generative AI systems
• Types of meaning producible through computational processes
• Societal implications of AI influence
• Philosophical perspectives on the mind and AI
• Economic factors driving AI development
• Impact of AI on work
• Ethical challenges of AI development and deployment

After completing the module, students will be able to:

• describe arguments from today’s philosophical discussions on (generative) AI 
• describe insights from classical philosophical discussions of pertinent topics
• delineate features of meaning, interpretation, and understanding, and their relation to stochastic patterns
• understand ways in which (generative) AI can influence human thought, emotion, and behavior
• discuss implications of the use of AI for business and society
• present philosophical thought to a public audience

Students will engage with philosophical concepts through collaborative presentations and discussions, applying theoretical insights to real-world applications. The assessment consists of three components:

In-Class Presentations (40%) Students will deliver a 25-minute group presentation analyzing philosophical texts and applying philosophical concepts to AI issues, and engage in the consequent discussion. Each student will be evaluated individually based on their contribution, analytical depth, didactic clarity, ability to answer questions, and engagement in the discussion.

Public Presentation (30%) Building on feedback from the in-class presentation, students will adapt and refine their analysis for a second presentation and discussion in a new context involving non-academic audiences. These presentations will facilitate dialogue with professionals who incorporate AI into their work processes. Assessment will focus on how effectively students integrate feedback, contextualize philosophical concepts for different audiences, and engage with diverse perspectives.

Discussion Engagement (30%) Students will actively participate in class discussions and prepare two structured responses (approximately 5–10 minutes each):

• Content-related questions that deepen understanding of presented material
• Constructive collegial feedback on peer presentations

This assessment structure evaluates students' ability to comprehend philosophical texts, apply theoretical frameworks to practical scenarios, communicate complex ideas clearly, and engage in meaningful intellectual exchange.

The course description is also accessible without login here: https://www.durt.de/courses/genai-ethics-2025-26/

The assessment consists of three components:

In-Class Presentations (30%)

Students will deliver a 25-minute group presentation analyzing philosophical texts and applying philosophical concepts to AI issues. Each student will be evaluated individually based on their contribution, analytical depth, and presentation skills.

Public Presentation (30%)

Building on feedback from the in-class presentation, students will adapt and refine their analysis for a second presentation and discussion in a new context involving non-academic audiences. These presentations will facilitate dialogue with professionals who incorporate AI into their work processes. Assessment will focus on how effectively students integrate feedback, contextualize philosophical concepts for different audiences, and engage with diverse perspectives.

Discussion Engagement (40%)

Students will actively participate in class discussions, post weekly short online replies a day before each meeting, and prepare two structured responses (approximately 5 minutes each):

Content-related questions that deepen understanding of presented material 

Constructive collegial feedback on peer presentations

• Bisk, Yonatan, Ari Holtzman, Jesse Thomason, Jacob Andreas, Yoshua Bengio, Joyce Chai, Mirella Lapata, et al. 2020. “Experience Grounds Language.” arXiv. http://arxiv.org/abs/2004.10151. Durt, Christoph, and Thomas Fuchs. 2024. “Large Language Models and the Patterns of Human Language Use.” In Phenomenologies of the Digital Age, by Marco Cavallaro and Nicolas De Warren, 1st ed., 106–21. New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003312284-7. Manning, Christopher D. 2022. “Human Language Understanding & Reasoning.” Daedalus 151 (2): 127–38. https://doi.org/10.1162/daed_a_01905. Stuart, Susan Aj. 2024. “Why Language Clouds Our Ascription of Understanding, Intention and Consciousness.” Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, March. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-024-09970-1.

The seminar employs a progressive pedagogical approach that prepares students to engage with AI professionals while developing critical philosophical perspectives. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and practical application, students will: Methodological Framework

• Conceptual Analysis: Examine core philosophical ideas and their implications for AI integration
• Hermeneutic Textual Engagement: Interpret primary texts to extract relevant insights for contemporary AI challenges
• Collaborative Inquiry: Participate in structured group work to develop multifaceted perspectives

Applied Learning Components

• In-Class Practice Presentations: Deliver initial analysis in a supportive academic environment
• Comprehensive Feedback Process: Receive structured critique from peers and instructors
• Professional Engagement: Present refined arguments to AI industry professionals, facilitating authentic dialogue between philosophical theory and practical application

The seminar bridges academic philosophy with real-world technological developments through a scaffolded learning experience. Students first develop and refine their ideas within the classroom community before engaging with AI practitioners, allowing them to effectively communicate philosophical insights to audiences beyond academia while gaining valuable perspectives on how theoretical concerns manifest in professional contexts.