AI and Social Justice

Yuko Itatsu is a professor at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies. She received her Ph.D. in 2009 at the University of Southern California as a Fulbright Scholar.

Prof. Yuko Itatsu

1	Subject	AI and Social Justice
2	Field	Artificial intelligence, ethics
3	Key words	Artificial intelligence, ethics, social justice, race, ethnicity, gender, minorities, algorithmic bias, healthcare, human rights, geopolitics
4	Global Unit	1
5	Lecturer	Yuko Itatsu
6	Period	July 3 - 14, 2023
7	Time	3:00-4:30pm (Japan Standard Time)
8	Lecture style	In-person (on Hongo Campus)
9	Evaluation Criteria	Excellent (S) 90 –100％; Very good (A) 80–89％; Good (B) 70–79%; Pass (C) 60–69%; Fail (D) 0–59％
10	Evaluation methods	Attendance and participation 40%. Presentations 30%. Final paper 30%
11	Prerequisites	No prior knowledge about artificial intelligence is needed. However, students must be willing to engage in conversations about how technology can be used for creating an inclusive society.
12	Contents	Purpose Students who successfully complete this course will be able to do the following: - gain understanding of the major issues surrounding the implementation of AI technology in our societies - able to give examples of the social injustices that may be perpetuated by the use of AI - will be able to have a comprehension of the different ways in which AI is perceived in different societies - will have a theoretical understanding of how current AI implementation may be related to various global issues - will be equipped with practical tools for think of ways to use AI for social justice.   Description Artificial intelligence(AI) is already embedded in our daily lives. It is crucial that we know where and how it is being used, as well as the implications it has on our lives. While AI can have a positive impact on improving productivity, efficiency, expediency and optimization, this course is also concerned about the problematic ways in which AI use may perpetuate or exacerbate biases against marginalized people in society. These marginalized people in society can include, those who are made vulnerable because of their gender and sexuality, race or ethnicity, disability, age or other characteristics. As an international group of people, we will also consider the different ways in which AI is perceived in different cultural contexts.    The course consists primarily of lectures and discussions based on case studies. We will also have design thinking workshops to challenge our intellectual agility and to seek new ways to understand AI and equity. This course will be interactive. The course expects participants to share ways in which AI is used in their local context and exchange ideas on what is can be considered social justice.   This course is about nurturing students to think about how to live and work with artificial intelligence in their future. As AI can be used in myriad ways, students looking to enter any industry should be able to find relevance.   Schedule 1. Introduction 2. AI and hiring/admissions 3. AI and law enforcement 4. Workshop (1): Equitable AI 5. Decolonizing AI 6. AI and healthcare 7. AI and social welfare 8. Workshop (2): Equitable AI 9. Presentations and Discussions 10. Future of AI and social justice   Assignment Students will be asked to prepare an approx. 5-10 minute presentation at both of the workshops as well as a final presentation on Day 9. The actual format of the presentations will be decided with the participants.   There will also be a 5-10 page paper due at the end of the course. Details will be announced in class.
13	Required readings	Will be provided during the course.
14	Reference readings	Will be provided during the course.
15	Notes on Taking the Course	Please note the following two points: 1. This course is not a computer science course. This course discusses the social implications of artificial intelligence using theoretical frameworks and studies from the humanities and social sciences. Students of all disciplines are welcome. 2. This is a discussion-based course. Students can expect themselves to be in small group discussions every day, where they will exchange ideas in English.

UTokyo Global Unit Courses
International Exchange Group, Education and Student Support Department,
The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8652 JAPAN

Please send all inquiries regarding the courses to the following email address:

utokyo-guc.adm(at)gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp *Please change (at) to @