AI & Vulnerable Humans: Honors Seminar
Rutgers Honors Seminar with Dr. Nathan C. Walker
The following course is made possible thanks to the 2025 Chancellor’s Special Initiatives Fund.
Fall 2025
Mondays, September 8 to December 8, 2025, from 12:30 to 3:20 PM
Overview
Artificial intelligence has the potential to both violate and advance human rights, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. But what does that really mean? Which rights are at stake, for whom, and why? How might vulnerable populations be compromised, and who bears the responsibility for protecting them? How does AI impact—negatively or positively—women and children, as well as racial, ethnic, Indigenous, and religious minorities? What can technology companies and regulators do to ensure that AI minimizes harm and maximizes benefits for persons with disabilities, older adults, LGBT+ people, refugees, and migrant workers? In this global studies course, students will apply what the United Nations calls a “vulnerability lens” to evaluate AI’s impact on vulnerable populations throughout its lifecycle—from development to deployment to monitoring. No prior experience in computer science, philosophy, or law is required; however, students majoring or minoring in these disciplines are encouraged to enroll.
Unit I. Frameworks
In the first three weeks, students will survey the ethical and human rights frameworks used to evaluate AI’s impact on vulnerable populations. Students will review the taxonomy of societal sectors (e.g., arts, business, defense, finance, law, and health) that they will later use to identify who is accountable for protecting and advancing the human rights of vulnerable people. Special attention will be given to human rights documents and core principles articulated by leading organizations in the responsible tech movement.
Unit II. Case Studies
During weeks four to ten, students will dedicate one week of study to each of the following vulnerable populations:
Week 4: Children
Week 5: Women
Week 6: Racial and ethnic minorities
Week 7: Indigenous peoples and religious minorities
Week 8: Persons with disabilities and older adults
Week 9: LGBT+ people
Week 10: Refugees and migrant workers
Students will take turns presenting case studies on these populations, drawing on research published by the United Nations, leading scholars, and the AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University.
Unit III. Agency & Advocacy
In the final three weeks, students will identify one population and one societal sector as the subjects of their final project. The project will entail writing a proposal to a person of influence in a specific sector (e.g., a CEO, a U.S. Senator, or the United Nations Secretary-General). The proposal will identify the ways AI has violated and may continue to violate the human rights of specific vulnerable populations and suggest ways to ensure AI can be used to protect and advance their rights.
General Education Categories
Given its multinational focus, this course will fulfill the Global Communities (GCM) requirement by examining technology law through a global lens, and the Ethics & Values (EVA) requirement due to its comprehensive review of legal and ethical frameworks.
