Faculty of Arts opens new study programme Philosophy for Artificial Intelligence

Press Release Science and research Education

The interdisciplinary Master's programme combines philosophy and cybernetics and reflects current developments in the field of information and communication technologies and their impact on human thinking and communication. Applications for the 2021/22 academic year are open until 31 August.

Automatic speech recognition, computer processing of natural language, automation and digitalisation in industry are all technologies currently affecting the lives of individuals and society as a whole. The new interdisciplinary programme therefore aims to philosophically explore the transformations of human thought and communication in the context of technological developments based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The programme will combine philosophical research with practical insights from cybernetics and computer science. "The students will pay special attention to the phenomenon of artificial intelligence, which permeates all spheres of the human world and at the same time is shrouded by a number of unrealistic ideas and questionable expectations," says Ludmila Dostálová, head of the philosophy department.

The study programme, prepared by the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Arts in cooperation with the Department of Cybernetics and the Department of Informatics and Computer Science of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, fulfils one of the priorities of the University of West Bohemia, which is to strengthen interdisciplinarity. Interdisciplinary programmes enable students to perceive problems from the point of view of several disciplines and to see them in their interconnections. Thus, they develop in students the knowledge and skills relevant for the 21st century and, above all, their responsibility for the future development of society.

The two-year Philosophy for Artificial Intelligence programme focuses on contemporary philosophy of science and technology and philosophy of language and mind. However, it also covers computer science and cybernetics and so-called cognitive science, which draws on the findings of neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, anthropology, etc.

Graduates will be able to navigate new technological trends and critically reflect on current phenomena such as machine learning, neural networks, automatic speech recognition, natural language processing, cyberspace, virtual and augmented reality, intelligent control systems and Industry 4.0. They will be prepared to work in interdisciplinary teams engaged in applied research and experimental development in the field of artificial intelligence and new technologies, both in commercial and academic fields.