AI and Philosophy, Politics and Economics
How does AI influence markets, innovation, our social lives and our political institutions? Should we use AI to make decisions about hiring or college admissions? Can you build a computer model to predict social change? In this far-reaching major, you’ll learn about the dynamic relationships among politics, economics and theories of justice. You’ll also see how AI is quickly shaping these fields, and how AI can help us understand these rapid changes. If you want to solve moral, social and political problems — and you’re interested in how AI is creating new opportunities and new challenges — then this major might be the perfect fit for you.
What will I learn?
To build your understanding of AI, you’ll take classes about AI ethics and the potential and pitfalls of AI for the public good. You’ll learn to use AI tools to better understand complex social problems, and study the fundamentals of economics, public policy, and how to apply models to propose solutions guided by questions of justice and legitimacy. As you advance, you’ll explore the impact of AI on the future of work, how AI shapes culture and power structures, and how AI can help create a freer, more equitable society. Our emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement means you’ll not just speculate about these multifaceted issues, you’ll put your skills to work, gaining practical experience and novel insight. Depending on your interests, you can choose from electives in game theory, social philosophy, urban economics, negotiation and other topics. You can delve deep into computational modeling and analytical tools, or focus on using AI to be a more effective community leader. Finally, you’ll work with a team in a capstone course that lets you solve a real-world problem to help society.
UB: A Leader in AI
- Home to Empire AI, a statewide hub for addressing societal challenges through AI.
- Home to National AI Institute funded by the National Science Foundation.
- More than 400 researchers involved with AI.
- Multiple institutes and centers focused on AI applications.
- Other degree programs like this one create a community of students focused on the study of AI for the social good.
What can I do with an AI and Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree?
This program opens doors in law, politics, business, economics, social sciences and many other fields because it teaches you how society works — and how to use AI to analyze complex situations and predict what happens next.
Throughout your career, you might find yourself working for a business, nonprofit organization or government agency in one of these roles:
- AI / Technology Journalist.
- AI Ethics Consultant.
- AI Policy Analyst.
- AI Strategist.
- Data Analyst.
- Economic Modeler.
- Government AI Advisor.
- Public Policy Consultant.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist.
- Responsible AI Consultant.
- Technology Policy Advisor.
If you want to continue your education after graduation, you could also choose to go to law school, business school, or graduate school in a field like political science, public policy, economics or philosophy.