AI, Computing and Thinking
GENED 1187
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
How to integrate AI and Computing with our thinking for solving societal and scientific challenges?
We define ourselves as Homo Sapiens –wise humans- distinguished by our problem solving capabilities, and our constant development of new technologies. One of our technologies, computers, possesses a dizzying capability of acquiring, transmitting and processing massive amounts of data. Computing uses these capabilities transforms our Thinking for solving complex problems and it is fueling the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution that is changing our world. This course is a guided exploration of how AI and Computing may affect our Thinking and aims to assist students to improve skills that computers do not possess. These include formulating questions for scientific and societal problems while understanding algorithmic capabilities and limitations and reflecting on the complementarity of artificial and natural intelligence. The course will introduce you to elementary algorithmic concepts, discuss the role of data and models in decision making aided by computing and AI. You will leave this course better prepared to assess the role of AI and Computing in society and technology and how they may change the future definition of “Sapiens”.
Class Notes
This course is part of the Gen Ed lottery and has an enrollment cap. To participate in the lottery, you must request permission to enroll by submitting a petition and ranking your choices through my.harvard by 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Note: You must rank your course choices to participate in the lottery--even if you choose only one course.
The Gen Ed lottery will run Tuesday, November 10. If you are successful in the lottery, it will say “Petition Approved” in green above the course in your Crimson Cart. You will have until 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, November 12, to select “enroll” and claim your seat. After that time, enrollment will open up to non-lottery petitioners.
For instructions on how to participate in the lottery, please visit: https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=c3e857c9db7d4bc4a752f1a51d96190e
For more information on the Gen Ed lottery specifically, please visit: https://gened.college.harvard.edu/courses/registration-and-lottery/
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
