Workshop: Generative Artificial Intelligence and Writing
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Through a series of lectures that combine theoretical exposition with hands-on exercises, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of generative artificial intelligence from a historical and critical perspective. The course will begin with an introduction to writing technologies, followed by an exploration of the fundamentals of AI, Large Language Models, and the influence of literary avant-gardes. Participants will then delve into prompting and the tools of generative AI for writing, culminating in an examination of contemporary applications and an analysis of future trends in this technology.
As each lesson incorporates a practical exercise component, participants are encouraged to bring their own working device (laptop, notebook, or similar) to class.
As each lesson incorporates a practical exercise component, participants are encouraged to bring their own working device (laptop, notebook, or similar) to class.
Expected learning outcomes
This workshop aims to empower students with a deeper understanding of the transformative potential of generative AI, particularly in the realm of writing. Through hands-on exercises and guided discussions, participants will gain the ability to:
- Harness the Power of Generative AI for Writing: Explore the diverse applications of generative AI in writing, including creative text generation, content ideation, and style transfer.
- Ethical Considerations in AI-Powered Writing: Critically examine the ethical implications of using generative AI for writing, addressing issues such as bias, fairness, and transparency.
- Identifying Clichés, Stereotypes, and Biases: Develop a keen eye for identifying and avoiding clichés, stereotypes, and biases in AI-generated text, ensuring responsible and inclusive writing practices.
- Integrating AI into Writing Processes: Master practical techniques for seamlessly integrating AI into writing processes, enhancing creativity, productivity, and overall writing effectiveness.
- AI-Powered Revision and Editing: Leverage AI-powered tools for revision and editing, refining writing style, grammar, and clarity.
At the end of the workshop, participants will have gained a comprehensive - albeit non-technical - understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI, along with the practical skills to harness its power for responsible and effective writing. They will be equipped to critically evaluate AI-generated text, identify potential biases, and integrate AI into their writing workflows to enhance their creativity and productivity. Additionally, they will have developed a keen awareness of the ethical considerations surrounding AI-powered writing, ensuring that their use of this technology aligns with responsible and inclusive practices.
- Harness the Power of Generative AI for Writing: Explore the diverse applications of generative AI in writing, including creative text generation, content ideation, and style transfer.
- Ethical Considerations in AI-Powered Writing: Critically examine the ethical implications of using generative AI for writing, addressing issues such as bias, fairness, and transparency.
- Identifying Clichés, Stereotypes, and Biases: Develop a keen eye for identifying and avoiding clichés, stereotypes, and biases in AI-generated text, ensuring responsible and inclusive writing practices.
- Integrating AI into Writing Processes: Master practical techniques for seamlessly integrating AI into writing processes, enhancing creativity, productivity, and overall writing effectiveness.
- AI-Powered Revision and Editing: Leverage AI-powered tools for revision and editing, refining writing style, grammar, and clarity.
At the end of the workshop, participants will have gained a comprehensive - albeit non-technical - understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI, along with the practical skills to harness its power for responsible and effective writing. They will be equipped to critically evaluate AI-generated text, identify potential biases, and integrate AI into their writing workflows to enhance their creativity and productivity. Additionally, they will have developed a keen awareness of the ethical considerations surrounding AI-powered writing, ensuring that their use of this technology aligns with responsible and inclusive practices.
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The lectures will focus on the following topics:
1) Introduction to the laboratory and generative artificial intelligence (AI): Overview of writing technologies and the evolution of AI.
2) Fundamentals of Large Language Models: How language models work and their applications in writing.
3) Literary avant-gardes and AI: Exploration of the impact of literary avant-gardes on the development of generative AI.
4) Prompting and advanced techniques: How to effectively interact with AI models to achieve quality writing results.
5) AI-assisted creative writing: Using AI to generate ideas and create original content.
6) Critical analysis of AI-generated texts: Identifying and overcoming clichés, stereotypes, and biases.
7) Ethics and responsibility in AI writing: Examination of ethical issues and implications of AI-generated writing.
8) Integration of AI in editorial workflows: How to use AI to improve productivity and writing quality.
9) Revision and editing with AI: Tools and techniques to improve style, grammar, and clarity with AI.
10) Future trends and conclusions: Discussion on the future prospects of AI in writing and summary of the laboratory.
1) Introduction to the laboratory and generative artificial intelligence (AI): Overview of writing technologies and the evolution of AI.
2) Fundamentals of Large Language Models: How language models work and their applications in writing.
3) Literary avant-gardes and AI: Exploration of the impact of literary avant-gardes on the development of generative AI.
4) Prompting and advanced techniques: How to effectively interact with AI models to achieve quality writing results.
5) AI-assisted creative writing: Using AI to generate ideas and create original content.
6) Critical analysis of AI-generated texts: Identifying and overcoming clichés, stereotypes, and biases.
7) Ethics and responsibility in AI writing: Examination of ethical issues and implications of AI-generated writing.
8) Integration of AI in editorial workflows: How to use AI to improve productivity and writing quality.
9) Revision and editing with AI: Tools and techniques to improve style, grammar, and clarity with AI.
10) Future trends and conclusions: Discussion on the future prospects of AI in writing and summary of the laboratory.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific technical knowledge of artificial intelligence is required. However, a good command of basic writing skills and an interest in digital technologies and new media is recommended. Students should be open to exploring new ways of creating content and critically reflecting on the ethical implications of using generative artificial intelligence.
Teaching methods
The laboratory consists of a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, and practical activities. Each lecture will be divided into two parts:
1) Theoretical part: Introduction to fundamental concepts, with a focus on historical, technical, and critical aspects of generative artificial intelligence.
2) Practical exercise: Direct application of acquired knowledge through writing exercises using artificial intelligence tools.
Students are encouraged to work on personal projects using generative artificial intelligence to explore its potential in creative and professional writing.
1) Theoretical part: Introduction to fundamental concepts, with a focus on historical, technical, and critical aspects of generative artificial intelligence.
2) Practical exercise: Direct application of acquired knowledge through writing exercises using artificial intelligence tools.
Students are encouraged to work on personal projects using generative artificial intelligence to explore its potential in creative and professional writing.
Teaching Resources
Books, academic articles, and online resources will be provided lesson by lesson by the Instructor, including:
- Mitchell, M. (2021). L'intelligenza artificiale. Una guida per esseri umani pensanti. Torino: Giulio Einaudi Editore. ISBN 9788858440056.
- Shane, J. (2019). You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place. New York: Voracious. ISBN: 978-0316525244.
- Bender, E. M., Gebru, T., McMillan-Major, A., and Shmitchell, S. (2021). On the dangers of stochastic parrots: Can language models be too big? . In Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (pp. 610-623). Virtual Event, Canada, March 3-10, 2021. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery.
- Blauth, T. F., Gstrein, O. J., and Zwitter, A. "Artificial intelligence crime: An overview of malicious use and abuse of AI." IEEE Access 10 (2022): 77110-77122.
- Tseng, W., and Warschauer, M. "AI-writing tools in education: If you can't beat them, join them." Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning 3.2 (2023): 258-262.
- Altmäe, S., Sola-Leyva, A., and Salumets, A. "Artificial intelligence in scientific writing: a friend or a foe?." Reproductive BioMedicine Online 47.1 (2023): 3-9.
- Mitchell, M. (2021). L'intelligenza artificiale. Una guida per esseri umani pensanti. Torino: Giulio Einaudi Editore. ISBN 9788858440056.
- Shane, J. (2019). You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place. New York: Voracious. ISBN: 978-0316525244.
- Bender, E. M., Gebru, T., McMillan-Major, A., and Shmitchell, S. (2021). On the dangers of stochastic parrots: Can language models be too big? . In Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (pp. 610-623). Virtual Event, Canada, March 3-10, 2021. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery.
- Blauth, T. F., Gstrein, O. J., and Zwitter, A. "Artificial intelligence crime: An overview of malicious use and abuse of AI." IEEE Access 10 (2022): 77110-77122.
- Tseng, W., and Warschauer, M. "AI-writing tools in education: If you can't beat them, join them." Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning 3.2 (2023): 258-262.
- Altmäe, S., Sola-Leyva, A., and Salumets, A. "Artificial intelligence in scientific writing: a friend or a foe?." Reproductive BioMedicine Online 47.1 (2023): 3-9.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final result of the Laboratory is given as Approved or Not Approved.
For final approval, the following points will be evaluated:
- Active participation in lectures: Students will be assessed based on their participation in class discussions and their engagement during exercises.
- Practical projects: Several writing assignments will be given where students will use generative artificial intelligence tools. These assignments will be evaluated for creativity, ability to integrate artificial intelligence into the writing process, and critical reflection on the results.
- Final paper: Students must submit a short written paper that explores a specific aspect of generative artificial intelligence in writing, including a critical analysis of the use of artificial intelligence and related ethical considerations. The structure of the paper is that of a position paper.
For final approval, the following points will be evaluated:
- Active participation in lectures: Students will be assessed based on their participation in class discussions and their engagement during exercises.
- Practical projects: Several writing assignments will be given where students will use generative artificial intelligence tools. These assignments will be evaluated for creativity, ability to integrate artificial intelligence into the writing process, and critical reflection on the results.
- Final paper: Students must submit a short written paper that explores a specific aspect of generative artificial intelligence in writing, including a critical analysis of the use of artificial intelligence and related ethical considerations. The structure of the paper is that of a position paper.
Professor(s)
Reception:
To be agreed by scheduling an appointment
Room 37 (3rd floor) or Microsoft Teams