Students will explore challenging social issues, and learn about the opportunities and limitations for AI to empower human solutions! You'll learn about applying AI to real-world social good spaces (such as climate, education, and housing) and learn what this looks like in practice. The class provides a high-level overview of the machine learning and deep learning techniques that have already proven effective in tackling social problems. Overall, we aim to center the "social good" component of AI for Social Good and cover material you would not otherwise see in the AI curriculum at Stanford. The course structure alternates between instructional lectures and bi-weekly guest speakers at the forefront of technology for social good. Students will be given the chance to engage in a flexible combination of AI model building, discussion, and individual exploration. Special topics may include: tech ethics, human-centered AI, AI safety, education technology, mental health applications, AI in policy, assistive robotics. Prerequisites: programming experience at the level of CS 106A and an interest in social impact! Application required for enrollment: http://tinyurl.com/cs21si2425. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply!
2 units · Satisfactory/No Credit
Students will explore challenging social issues, and learn about the opportunities and limitations for AI to empower human solutions! You'll learn about applying AI to real-world social good spaces (such as climate, education, and housing) and learn what this looks like in practice. The class provides a high-level overview of the machine learning and deep learning techniques that have already proven effective in tackling social problems. Overall, we aim to center the "social good" component of AI for Social Good and cover material you would not otherwise see in the AI curriculum at Stanford. The course structure alternates between instructional lectures and bi-weekly guest speakers at the forefront of technology for social good. Students will be given the chance to engage in a flexible combination of AI model building, discussion, and individual exploration. Special topics may include: tech ethics, human-centered AI, AI safety, education technology, mental health applications, AI in policy, assistive robotics. Prerequisites: programming experience at the level of CS106A and an interest in social impact! Application required for enrollment: http://tinyurl.com/cs21si2425. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply!
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.