Grand Challenge First-Year Seminar: Authorship at Work: AI and Ethics
Course Number: 66-156
As generative AI reshapes how we write, create, learn and communicate, new questions emerge about authorship, responsibility and what it means to speak in a distinctly human voice. When AI can imitate human expression, generate ideas and communicate with increasing fluency, how do we decide what counts as authentic communication, trustworthy knowledge or ethical decision making? This course explores these challenges through the interdisciplinary lenses of rhetoric, ethics, technology and professional communication.
Students will examine how AI is transforming communication, creativity and decision making in schools, workplaces and public life. Drawing from the humanities, communication studies and technology ethics, the course asks: What happens when systems designed to predict language begin shaping how humans think, write and relate to one another? How should organizations balance efficiency with ethical responsibility when using AI tools? Who is accountable when AI-generated communication causes harm, spreads bias or erodes trust? Along the way, students will engage with contemporary debates about authorship, accountability, human judgment and the future of communication in an AI-driven world. The course emphasizes experiential learning, ethical decision making, and collaborative problem solving. Students will investigate AI communication failures, debate controversial uses of AI in professional settings, participate in stakeholder simulations, and work in teams to respond to high-stakes communication challenges shaped by AI. Projects may include evaluating AI-generated business messages, analyzing organizational AI policies, and developing human-centered approaches to responsible AI use. The course will also feature guest speakers from industry and opportunities to engage with professionals working at the intersection of AI, communication, ethics and organizational leadership. Through presentations, peer review, and policy-focused projects, students will develop the critical, analytical and communication skills needed to navigate AI-intensive environments thoughtfully and responsibly.
Academic Year: 2026-2027
Semester(s): Spring