ENGL 1A: Science, Ethics, and Society (Nanda): Selecting a Topic

Here are some general issues related to artificial intelligence that might give you some ideas as you explore which topic you want to learn more about:

Ethical Concerns with Artificial Intelligence

Economic Effects of Artificial Intelligence

Environmental Effects of Artificial Intelligence

Psychological Effects of Artificial Intelligence

Social Effects of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence in Education

Artificial Intelligence and Employment

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Step 1: Choose a Topic You are Curious About

The first step in the search process is to choose a topic.  Choosing a topic you are curious about and interested in will make the research process easier and more enjoyable.  Please watch this video to learn more.

Step 2:  How to Narrow Down Your Topic

• Choose the perspective of a specific discipline (science, sociology, religion, philosophy, history)
• Choose a population group (college students, workers, authors, creative artists)
• Choose just one aspect of the topic:                                

          -government regulations/legislation

          -competition between nations for dominance in the AI industry

          -public opinion

          -deepfakes and misinformation in social media

• Explore how a specific aspect of life is being affected by AI (national security, economic disruption, music and the arts, etc.) 
• Geographical location (compare the effects of and attempts to regulate artificial intelligence in different countries)

Watch this short video to get more suggestions for how to narrow your topic.

Step 3:  Develop a Research Question Around Your Topic

• Start asking questions around your topic:

  How?  What?  In what ways?

  Examples:

• What are the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence?

• Has public opinion about artificial intelligence changed since the release of Chat GPT?  Why?

• Does religious affiliation have an influence on attitudes about AI?

• How does artificial intelligence differ from human intelligence?

• Should AI research and development be controlled by the government? 

• If artificial intelligence results in massive unemployment, how should the world's governments respond?