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CS-E400207: Special Course in Computer Science

Instructor: Nitin Sawhney, Professor of Practice
Department of Computer Science, Aalto University

Teaching Assistants & Research Mentors: John Malcolm Anderson, Karolina Drobotowicz, Ana Paula Gonzalez Torres, and Kaisla Kajava

March 30 – June 8, 2023 | 5 Credits (Pass/Fail)

Thursdays 16:15 – 18:00, Room T4 (CS Building)

Course Description

In this exploratory seminar, we examine the critical role of trust in designing, developing, and deploying systems using Artificial Intelligence (AI). By exploring various disciplines we examine how trust can be understood socially, culturally, and cognitively, while devising means for critically engaging these constructs to devise ethical, inclusive, and trustworthy AI systems and practices.

The seminar will primarily draw on emerging literature on the topic from areas including Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (FAccT), Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Designing Information Systems (DIS), computational linguistics, participatory design research, ethical and responsible AI, governance and AI regulation.

Participants can conduct applied research on existing AI systems, prototype novel approaches, conduct speculative design research, and evaluate potential outcomes. Conceptual, theoretical, and philosophical approaches for critical inquiry are also encouraged. 

As a graduate-level seminar, all participants must conduct original research in this course, leveraging their own disciplinary backgrounds, critically reviewing published literature, and co-learning from their peers, while contributing to the emerging field.

Guest speakers and visiting researchers will be invited to offer critical multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging research in these areas.

Related keynote talks to attend in the CRAI-CIS seminars:

Learning Outcomes:

Seminar participants will read assigned articles and work together to present them each week. This activity encourages curiosity and reflection, allowing participants to understand and analyse practical case studies and frameworks for trustworthy AI, interaction design, and evaluation.The group will engage in thought-provoking discussions, using critical thinking for reframing dilemmas and challenges to propose alternative solutions, design and technology interventions, critical practices, and ethical policies that can be implemented in both current and emerging AI-based systems and services for societal use.

Weekly Schedule:

  • 30.03: Week 1: Introducing Concepts of Trust
  • 06.04 – Easter Break
  • Assignment 1: Visual essay / reflection on week 1 readings (12.04)
  • 13.04: Week 2: Measuring Trust
  • 20.04: Week 3: Trust in Human and AI Interactions
  • 27.04: Week 4: Designing for Trustworthy Interactions
  • 04.05: Week 5: How Explainability Contributes to Trust in AI
  • Interim research proposal due (04.05) – moved from 27.04
  • 11.05: Week 6: Trust in Human-AI Collaboration
  • 18.05 – Public Holiday
  • 25.05: Week 7: Trust and Privacy in Speech & Conversational AI
  • 01.06: Week 8: Trust in LLMs and Responsible AI
  • Draft research paper for peer-review (05.06)
  • 08.06: Week 9: Final Presentations & Reflections
  • Final Research Paper due (09.06)

Course website: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=38269