Participation, Presentations, and Write-Up

Sign-Ups for Topics

Sign-ups for class discussions, case study topics, and social impact topics are available on this Google Sheet. Each category has its own tab within the sheet. Students will select a lecture for which they will take a more active role in guiding the discussion, as well as their preferred topics for the case study and social impact presentations. Edit access to the Google Sheet is restricted to those enrolled in the class. Topics and dates are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, but students may coordinate swaps if needed.

Class Participation

Class participation is an essential part of the course and will account for 10% of your final grade. Six lectures are dedicated to discussing assigned class readings, and students will take an active role in these sessions.

Each student will sign up for one lecture to take on a more active role in guiding the discussion. While active participation is expected for every class session, students assigned to a specific day are responsible for preparing discussion questions and helping to lead and drive the conversation.

Presentations

The course includes two types of presentations: Case Study and Social Impact, each contributing 15% to your final grade for a total of 30%. Both presentations will follow the same grading rubric.

Each presentation should be 9-11 minutes long, with a strict limit of 11 minutes. Students must upload their presentation materials to Gradescope no later than 1 hour before the start of class.

Case Study Presentation

The Case Study Presentations focus on exploring the technical and operational aspects of an autonomy application within a specific domain. Students will choose a topic from one of the following areas: Transportation, Health, and Consumer.

Each presentation should analyze how the chosen system is designed and implemented, highlighting its successes, challenges, and potential. Key aspects to address include the system’s functionality, the problems it aims to solve, and any technical or design challenges encountered during its development. Students are encouraged to discuss how trust is built in these systems and what steps are taken to ensure reliability and validation.

This presentation provides an opportunity to apply course concepts to real-world applications and to explore the practical considerations involved in deploying autonomous systems. The Case Study Presentation will account for 15% of the final grade.

Social Impact Presentations

The Social Impact Presentations explore the broader societal implications of autonomy, focusing on its influence in one of the following areas:

• Jobs
• Military and geopolitics
• Fairness, explainability, and transparency

You should analyze how advancements in autonomy shape these areas, discussing both benefits and potential challenges. Presentations should address key ethical considerations, long-term societal impacts, and any trade-offs that arise from the adoption of autonomous systems.

This presentation is an opportunity to critically examine the intersection of technology and society, encouraging thoughtful discussion on the far-reaching consequences of autonomy. The Social Impact Presentation will account for 15% of the final grade and will serve as the foundation for the Social Impact Write-Up, which will expand on the ideas presented.

Grading

Social Impact Write-Up

The Social Impact Write-Up is your chance to expand on the ideas presented in your Social Impact Presentation. This written assignment allows you to analyze the societal implications of autonomy in greater depth, synthesizing research, class discussions, and your own insights. The write-up will account for 30% of your final grade.

Requirements

Word Count: 1500–2500 words 

Submission: Upload your final write-up as a PDF to Gradescope by the assigned deadline.

Content Guidelines

Your write-up should:

• Explain your topic choice and its significance
• Provide context for current developments in this area
• Analyze both positive and negative impacts on different stakeholder groups
• Consider short-term and long-term impacts
• Examine unintended consequences and ripple effects
• Discuss relevant ethical considerations
• Discuss accountability and responsibility
• Include specific examples and case studies
• Connect to concepts from course readings and discussions
• Reference external research and current developments
• Consider emerging trends and their implications
• Explore how trust can be built in autonomous systems
• Discuss potential solutions to challenges identified

Grading