Artificial Intelligence is transforming every part of our economy — from how we work and create, to how we make decisions. This four-week course cuts through the hype to explain AI in plain, practical language. Through real-world examples and interactive demonstrations, you’ll discover how AI is being used in business, health, education, and everyday life — and what it means for your own future. We’ll also tackle the big questions about jobs, ethics, privacy, and power. No tech skills needed — just curiosity and a willingness to explore how AI is reshaping the world and the opportunities within it.
- The Ezra Klein Show, Sam Altman on the Future of AI
- The Last Economy, Emad Mostaque (2024)
- Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence, Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans & Avi Goldfarb (Harvard Business Review Press, 2018)
- Understand what “artificial intelligence” really means: Learn how AI systems are trained to recognise patterns and predict outcomes; Identify where AI already appears in daily life (maps, phones, online tools); Discuss how these technologies connect to productivity and the economy.
- Recognise where AI is being used across major industries: Understand how AI increases efficiency and cuts costs; Discuss both the benefits and risks for businesses and workers; See how governments and companies are responding to AI disruption.
- Learn how to use simple AI tools like ChatGPT or image generators: Practice writing better prompts for clearer answers; Identify everyday tasks that AI can help with; Discuss how AI is changing the skills people need at work.
- Explore ethical questions like bias, data, and accountability: Discuss how AI could affect jobs, income, and education; Understand the global impact of AI on economies and societies; Develop your own informed view about where AI is taking us.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain what AI is and how it works in simple terms.
- Identify how AI is used in the economy and in everyday life.
- Use basic AI tools confidently and responsibly.
- Discuss the ethical and social issues around AI.
