Project1

Project #1: Representations of AI

“What was once just a figment of the imagination of some our most famous science fiction writers, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking root in our everyday lives.”

Overview

Since the beginning of the semester, we’ve come to understand some of the history and development of Artificial Intelligence, as well as some of the implications (the “Singularity,” labor/economy, machine-warfare, machine-medicine, etc.) by reading and analyzing an article about AI. In doing so, we’ve honed our ability to summarize-analyze-evaluate through a rhetorical analysis of an academic article. Now we are going to put those experiences to good work as we expand our inquiry into AI by comparing the filmic representations of AI to those more “scientific” or “academic” representations.

 

To do so, let’s imagine the following situation: As an upcoming expert in AI, you’ve been asked by the people at the Partnership on AI to write a brief blog post for their website. They want you to write a post answering the following: Are science fiction movies credible sources for knowledge of AI? Why/why not?

Engaging in this writing task will help us make progress towards the following learning goals of being able to:

· Synthesize and apply information within and across disciplines.

· Identify how contexts affect communication strategies and practices.

 

We’ll also be considering the future of humanity, which seems important. :)

Audience

Obviously, you’ll be writing for people who visit and read the website for the Partnership on AI. I encourage you to spend some time reading the sample blog posts. As you do, ask yourself: who reads this and what do they need?

Purpose: The goal here is to provide the audience a new perspective of science fiction films through an analysis and synthesis of the film you watched and the things we’ve read. As you work to invent and communicate your perspective to the audience, you’ll also want to consider what you hope your perspective will have them “revise” (what knowledge and actions will change if they agree with your view)? In short, when comparing the academic article you read to the movie you’ve watched, can science fiction be considered a credible source of AI? Why or why not?

Invention

As you write, you might consider the following questions:

· Compared to the academic/scientific representations of AI, how was the film you watched different/similar?

· Did the film you watch make you reconsider your opinions/knowledge of AI?

· Why would your audience care about your view/perspective?

· What kind of sources/analysis/arrangement/style does the audience need for you to be effective?

· Will you need to cite the film and our previous readings on AI?

· Is AI a place where science and art/literature/philosophy (seemingly all disciplines) meet?

Arrangement

Because the subject of your blog post is “science fiction films,” and you’ll be using the movie you watched as your main point of reference/invention, it would seem a good summary of your film would be essential. Again, you should be sure to consult the PPTs on rhetoric/writing to ensure that the various sections do the appropriate rhetorical work.

Delivery

Your typed essay should be:

· 1200-1500 words.

· Formatted according to MLA.

Final Note

Your essay will be accompanied by a cover letter that explains and justifies your decisions, as well as makes the case for how well your writing meets the “Success Criteria” we developed.