PUBPOL 3520 - Economic and Policy Implications of Artificial Intelligence

(KCM-HE, SBA-HE) (KCM-AG, SBA-AG)

Spring. 3 credits. Student option grading (no audit).

Prerequisite: PUBPOL 3100 and MATH 1110 (or equivalent). Permission of instructor required. Recommended prerequisite: PUBPOL 2000.

Z. Pei.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) brings both great promise and daunting challenges for the future of humanity. This course examines the impacts of AI from an economist’s perspective. We will present the economic framework conventionally used for thinking about technology in the macroeconomy and extend it to analyze the implications of AI. A special focus will be on the disparate labor market consequences of AI and policy measures to address these challenges. Additionally, we will explore, at a more micro-level, the issues of machine bias and algorithmic fairness and discuss the policy implications.

Outcome 1: Use an economic framework to analyze AI’s impacts on growth and labor markets.

Outcome 2: Describe recent labor market trends resulting from technological progress.

Outcome 3: Understand and discuss the issues of machine bias and algorithmic fairness.

Outcome 4: Critically assess academic studies on the economic effects of AI.

Outcome 5: Propose informed policy recommendations on harnessing the benefits of AI while minimizing potential harms.