Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming society at all levels – transforming the ways we live, the ways we learn, and the ways we work and collaborate. There is a radical pace of change both in the technologies underlying AI, and importantly on AI’s impact on ourselves and the world around us. AI is raising new ethical and philosophical questions that are critical to engage with across disciplinary boundaries, such that many important decisions about human life more generally are influenced by AI. There are also limits to AI as well as potential negative outcomes which need to be considered with critical reflection through research and discussion from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

Today, there is increasing demand for AI-related skills in the workforce, such that there is significant opportunity for individuals who are capable for lifelong learning in the fast-changing AI-enabled environment. AI also contributes to personal growth, fostering critical thinking, problem solving and creativity – crucial skills in today’s rapidly changing world. Investment is flowing into AI and is at the heart of an intensifying global technological competition with economic, cultural, and national impact that will be an important influence on the path of the twenty-first century. How such technological change relates to ethical concerns such as unequal distribution of benefits, bias and discrimination, privacy, job displacement and ethical values and principles are crucial topics for students to reflect upon across disciplines.