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Technology often promises solutions to address specific problems and increase participation in government and democratic processe. Conversely, the misuse of technology threatens significant unintended social and economic consequences for privacy, equity and even security. This course looks at a variety of new and emerging technologies – including artificial intelligence, big data, and human enhancement – and the political decision-making which promotes, restricts or bans their use. It considers technology’s positive and negative consequences, and the actual or potential political conflicts which arise from these.

In this course, you will critically engage with arguments about the social and economic implications of new and emerging technologies. It has a strong focus on developing critical thinking skills, which will help you in evaluating arguments about the benefits and risks of technological change and engaging with specific problems and conflicts caused by particular technologies. You will explore the impact of automation and AI on the future of work, the privacy implications of Big Data, and the impact of human enhancement and life extension on social inequality. This course assumes no prior knowledge of technology, economics, or politics.