Humans in the Loop: Human-Centered Research in Robots and AI

2023/2024

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

This elective introduces students to key developments and current challenges in robotics and AI, and highlights how the humanities can inform research practice that result in ethical, inclusive and responsible robots and AI. Through research-based teaching and practice-based workshops, students will learn to identify and implement theories and methods from the arts, humanities, and social sciences to address relevant challenges in the fields of robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), human-computer interaction (HCI), AI and machine learning. Key issues that will be addressed are interaction, embodiment, ethics and societal impact. During this course, the students will learn and apply practical quantitative and qualitative methods to bridge humanities research with relevant topics in engineering and computer science in their own mini-studies. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Through the module, the student must gain knowledge and understanding of:

  • theories and methods addressing concepts of interaction, embodiment, ethics and social impact the field of robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI  

  • research questions and challenges within robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI research  

  • possibilities/Approaches to bridge interdisciplinary perspectives on robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI research 

Skills

The student must through the module acquire skills in:

  • to master scientific theories, methods, research and design tools for understanding, developing and/or analyzing research questions and solutions within robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI 

  • to assess and choose among scientific theories, methods and tools and to develop new analytical and solution models on robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI from a humanistic, social scientific or artistic perspective to critically evaluate technologies, tools and practices from a human-centered perspective 

Competences

The student must through the module acquire competences for:

  • to independently apply relevant theoretical and methodological knowledge to understand and evaluate the solutions of robotics, HRI/HCI, and AI in different settings (e.g. institutional or societal) and frameworks

  • to independently initiate and carry out professional and interdisciplinary cooperation and assume professional
    responsibility in the field of robotics and AI from a humanistic, artistic or social scientific perspective.

Type of instruction

Reference is made to §17.

Exam

Exams

Name of examHumans in the Loop: Human-Centered Research in Robots and AI
Type of exam
Written exam
The exam takes form of a given 7-day homework assignment, where the student, based on the module, answers the question(s) within the subject area. The assignment must not exceed 15 pages and must be prepared individually.

The assignment is assessed by the examiner and an internal co-assessor.
ECTS10
Permitted aids
All written and all electronic aids
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Additional information

Electives are updated on our website:

https://www.kdm.aau.dk/studiehaandbog/uddannelsen/kandidat/valgfag/

Facts about the module

Danish titleMennesker i loopet: Menneskecentreret forskning i robotter og AI
Module codeKAKDMVM2034
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterSpring
KA elective 2. semester
ECTS10
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Communication and Digital Media
DepartmentDepartment of Communication and Psychology
FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities