Coriolis Seminar - Of Humans and AI: Social and Ethical Implications of AI for Decision Making

AI and predictive technologies are increasingly promoted as tools to enhance efficiency and optimize processes, including in the energy sector. Yet behind the veneer of objectivity lie systems shaped by human choices and social contexts that risk furthering inequalities and deepening power imbalances. This lecture aims to help participants develop a critical understanding of the assumptions embedded in AI systems and engage responsibly with these technologies in their professional practice. It draws from examples across different sectors as well as social science concepts to shed light on key inflection points in the development and deployment of AI systems. It then examines commonly proposed solutions, such as transparency measures, bias mitigation, and human oversight, reflecting on both their potential and their limitations. Ultimately, the lecture argues that deploying AI responsibly requires examining human choices and their consequences across the entire AI supply chain.