Full course description
In recent years, AI has become synonymous with technological change that has the potential to revolutionize or upend society. This online course asks two key questions: how did we get here, and what are the implications of AI for society? To address these questions the course examines definitions of AI and tracks its historical rise as a cross-disciplinary research field. The course then turns towards AI’s impacts on various domains, including the environment, work, education, and government. Whether you’re hopeful or skeptical about AI, this course is for anyone interested in AI and its societal implications and improved AI literacy.
This course offers a non-credit track that enables participants to participate in the first asynchronous module and the first hour of each scheduled meeting. Non-credit participants can attend in person on the TC campus or on Zoom. Attendance beyond the first hour is optional for non-credit students. For each session, non-credit participants are expected to engage with one of the assigned materials.
Dates: January 6 - 16, 2026
Times: Sessions held from 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST, on the following dates:
- Tuesday, January 6, 2026, (In-person + Zoom accommodation)
- Thursday, January 8, 2026, (In-person + Zoom accommodation)
- Monday, January 12, 2026, (In-person + Zoom accommodation)
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026, (In-person + Zoom accommodation)
- Friday, January 16, 2026, (In-person + Zoom accommodation)
Approximately 10 contact hours
- 4 hours of seminar preparation by engaging with the online asynchronous module
- 1 hour of ongoing seminar preparation
- 5 hours in seminar participation
Format: Hybrid
Price: $595
Please Note: This course is offered on a non-credit basis or for 3 credits. Registration for this course through TC Academy is for the non-credit offering and Academic Credits will not be awarded. For instructions on how to register for the credit offering see below.
For more information, questions, or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
This course can be taken for credit in accordance with TC's enrollment policies. If you are not a current student and would like to take this course for credit, please review the Non-Degree Application Instructions page on our website and proceed accordingly. Also, please note that if you plan to take this on a for-credit basis, college tuition and fees will apply. If you are a continuing student in a degree program and have approval from your advisor, you can register for this course beginning on December 1st. Winter session courses will follow spring registration and payment deadlines.