This 8-part lecture series is an introduction to the basics of an algorithm and artificial intelligence in a communication context, with the primary purpose of informing learners of their impact on current communication practices (media, organizational, personal) and developing analytical and strategic thinking around the future of communication and AI. These are lectures from the class, “Algorithms and AI (Artificial Intelligence): The Future of Communication,” an international class I taught through the Universidad de La Sabana.
Watch: What is an algorithm? (28 minutes)
The most fundamental concept in programming is the algorithm. An algorithm is a very precise procedure to solve a problem. To understand artificial intelligence, we need to understand the basics of algorithms and how they are logic-driven functions.
Watch: What is artificial intelligence? (25 minutes)
What is intelligence? Why do we use anthropomorphizing language to describe AI technologies and how does this skew our understanding? There are many changing definitions of artificial intelligence, however we have a general consensus today that AI is algorithms that can perform advanced functions with complex data.
Watch: How does artificial intelligence influence communication? (32 minutes)
Communication informs and shapes our values and beliefs, which in turn informs our actions and decisions. This is a broad overview and introduction to how AI influences communication and has changed communication – and subsequently influences our decision-making.
Watch: Artificial intelligence and the media (30 minutes)
Social media newsfeed algorithms are the most prominent example of artificial intelligence in media communication today. These same AI technologies drive other major media as well, and share the goal of keeping you engaged on their website by tailoring content according to predictions of your interests.
Watch: Artificial intelligence and organizational communication (24 minutes)
Organizations are the building blocks of society, with groups (large and small) organizing to achieve particular goals. Artificial intelligence technologies are found in many aspects of organizational communication, particularly (1) service communication, (2) strategic communication and (3) AI communication products.
Watch: Artificial intelligence and interpersonal communication (29 minutes)
Interpersonal communication mediates relationships between two people. Artificial intelligence technologies impact and shape our interpersonal communication. What does this do to our relationships? And can artificial intelligence machines ever actually engage in true interpersonal communication?
Watch: Artificial intelligence and the future of communication (19 minutes)
Looking to the future, AI technologies will increasingly influence communication. We can both attempt to predict and try to define how these technologies will influence different parts of our lives. We explore the potential futures of communication and artificial intelligence technologies in the spheres of politics, economics and society.
Watch: Leveraging artificial intelligence as a communication professional (21 minutes)
Artificial intelligence technologies are tools to integrate, develop and modify to fit our visions and goals for communication. As communication professionals, by using a foundation of knowledge in AI we can integrate it into our work and advocate for better, more efficient tools that match our social, ethical and practical needs.
These lectures are shared publicly in the spirit of supporting education and access to information, particularly helping to improve digital literacy for everyone. Please feel free to use these videos as needed. If you lift content and recycle it in your own work or products, remember to cite the source. Thank you! If you need to get in contact with me, please feel free to do so using my contact form here. If you have any questions or doubts about how you can use the content, just ask!
Dr. Jessica Eise 
Dr Eise
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You have an exceptional way of breaking down complex concepts into understandable information. Thank for for providing this series for free. I can only imagine the countless hours you spent to create and edit this lecture series. Your work is very much appreciated.
Mike.
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Thank you! It means a lot to hear that.
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