Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful and transformative force that is reshaping many aspects of our society. Its influence spans across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, finance, education, transportation, and entertainment, among others. As AI technology continues to advance, it brings with it both significant opportunities and complex challenges. While AI has the potential to greatly improve efficiency, decision-making, and innovation, it also raises important questions about privacy, security, job displacement, and the ethical implications of its use.
The “AI: Friend or Foe?” Certificate Program provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing solely on the technology itself, the program encourages critical examination of AI’s impact on society, healthcare, law, education, and other sectors.
Through expert presentations, interactive discussions, debates, and collaborative activities, students will explore both the benefits and potential risks of AI while developing the skills to thoughtfully evaluate its role in shaping the future. The program is designed to foster informed dialogue, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary perspectives on one of the most transformative technologies of our time.
Registration OPEN
Dates:
August 26, September 15, October 6, October 20, November 3, November 10, November 17, December 1 and December 2
Location: Miller Learning Center, in Room 348
Laptop Required
Service Program Requirements:
- Attend orientation session and Introduction to AI
- Attend all presentations
- Attend and participate in all group activity sessions
- Final Project: Friend or Foe?
- Ethical case analysis
- AI tool critique
- Policy recommendation
- Proposed AI solution for a healthcare problem
Orientation registration for the AI Friend or Foe? Certificate Program will open August 10th. After attending the orientation on Monday, August 24th @ 4pm, participants will receive a Google form to confirm their participation in the program. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be no waitlist. Once the program reaches its capacity, registration will close.
After successful completion of this program, students will receive a certificate of completion from the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Detailed Program Agenda:
Introduction to AI – August 26th
Objective: To lay the foundation for the course by providing an overview of AI’s history, current applications, and key ethical questions.
What is AI in Healthcare? – September 15th
Presenter: Dr. Tianming Liu
Objective: To give students a deeper understanding of how AI is being used in healthcare and research to analyze medical images, understand the brain, and organize biological information to improve diagnosis and discovery.
AI in Healthcare Training. – October 6th
Presenter: Dr. Alison Morrison
Objective: To give students an understanding of how AI in healthcare training teaches future healthcare professionals how to use AI tools to improve patient care, support decision-making, and understand the role of technology in medicine.
Bias, Equity, & Ethics: Why humans must be part of the AI loop – October 20th
Presenter: Dr. Eugene Douglass
Objective: To explore Bias, equity, and ethics in AI focus on ensuring that humans guide AI decisions to make them fair, responsible, and beneficial for everyone and the integration of AI in patient care.
Debate Session – November 3rd (Group Activity)
Objective: Through the debate of AI as a friend, foe, or tool, students will explore the benefits, risks, and responsibilities of using AI while developing critical thinking skills about its role in society
Teams debate:
- AI is a friend
- AI is a foe
- AI is a tool
Where will AI touch my future profession? – November 10th
Presenter: Dr. Richard Lamb
Objective: To focus on the practical applications of AI in patient care, particularly how AI is being used to improve patient outcomes in hospitals and medical practices.
Final Project – November 17th
Objective: Students will explore AI as a friend, foe, or tool in healthcare by researching its opportunities, risks, ethical implications, and future role in their chosen profession. Students will begin working on their group projects during class on November 17, with final presentations taking place on December 2.
- Ethical case analysis
- AI tool critique
- Policy recommendation
- Proposed AI solution for a healthcare problem
Field Trip to UGA CEW/VR Lab – December 1st
Time – 5pm to 7pm
Presenter: Dr. Michael Fulford
Location: MLC – 3rd Floor – VR Lab
