News
15 MARCH 2021
School of Oriental and African STEM? SOAS introduces AI and humanities module Fakhriya M. Suleiman, MA Global Media and Postnational Communication On 17 February, the SOAS press team announced the launch of a new postgraduate module on artificial intelligence (AI). SOAS’ website boasts the multidisciplinary ‘Artificial Intelligence and Human Security’ course will offer students an insight into ‘national and international threats and benefits of AI research, the impact of AI on state-society relations, warfare, citizenship and international relations’ and much more.
“Professor Adib-Moghaddam stresses the need for widespread access to AI literacy to ensure its development does not become a ‘danger to humanity.’” According to Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, the module convenor, this course will ‘engage the future security
of humanity from a philosophical perspective and on the basis of current strides in AI technology.’ In his article for The Conversation, Professor Adib-Moghaddam stresses the need for widespread access to AI literacy to ensure its development does not become a ‘danger to humanity.’ He cited that if not adequately controlled or talked about, instead of a ‘“human ruling ‘master race”, as has been seen with colonialism, eugenics theory and the like, the future may be faced with a ‘ruling machine race.’ He mentioned that indications from recent research papers forecasting AI replacing half of the world’s workforce could spell a ‘fourth industrial revolution.’ He concluded his article by stating that if AI research remains centred around ‘the notion of perfection and maximum productivity, it will be a destructive force that will lead to more wars, famines and social and economic distress especially for the poor.’ The introduction of this module indicates that SOAS may be departing from being a solely humanities institution. When asked by the SOAS Spirit, Professor Adam Habib, the university’s director, reassured us that the penultimate S in SOAS will not be replaced by the word STEM anytime soon. ‘The course itself is not about AI as such, there will be no teaching on software nor programming. The focus of the course is in regards to the ethics and social consequences of
AI.’ Professor Habib went further to explain that ‘SOAS will remain true to its mandate’ of being a humanities institution and that rebranding ‘is not on the cards.’ However, he was hopeful that SOAS will partner with STEM institutions in the future to ‘address the global issues of our time.’ He said, for example, ‘it would be great if SOAS could come together with an institution like UCL. A course that also examines the human dimension behind climate change from an African, Middle Eastern or Asian perspective would be beneficial as such an issue cannot be fully understood from a scientific lens alone.’ Professor Habib also expressed regret over world governments disregarding the importance of humanities for society. ‘It is misguided for politicians to assume just anyone can succinctly approach social scientific questions raised within our society - specialists are needed!’ When asked whether a module exploring the human aspect of AI would be offered to SOAS’ undergraduate students, Professor Habib explained that this was ‘under consideration,’ but there would be a need to ‘tailor the complexity of the course to suit our undergraduate students.’ On the SOAS website, the course is said to be ‘one of the first such classes [to be offered] in the United Kingdom and beyond.’
Dinwidy Strikes Again Anneka Shah, BA Chinese (Modern and Classical) Residents of Dinwiddy House and Paul Robeson House are currently preparing to strike for the second time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will withhold their third and final installment of rent. Amounting to around £2000, this would have otherwise been paid to accommodation provider, Sanctuary Students, on 2 April. Students are keen to strike because they have not been able to stay in their university accommodation since Christmas and feel there has been a lack of on-campus learning opportunities. First year Bsc Management student, Ali Imran, has already paid for a year’s contract at Dinwiddy House, but estimates he has only spent 40 days at the halls since the start of the academic year. He was surprised that the university would not be supporting student renters: ‘I always thought [that as] a student, the university would cooperate fully with you.’ He felt that realistically he may not be able to get his rent returned, but hopes that residents could be compensated or offered incentives in other ways such as vouchers. Oscar Ward, the SOAS Students’ Union (SU) Accommodation Officer, was also shocked by the lack of support from the university and said that currently the question on most renters’ minds is ‘SOAS, where are you?’ He further explained that while the
strikers themselves will lead the campaign, the SU will be offering them support and solidarity. In contrast to Imran, Ward felt that vouchers as compensation would be an ‘insult’ to the students. The university were contacted for comment and said: ‘While SOAS does not provide or own any accommodation we fully sympathise with the situation students are currently facing. We have been engaging with our providers where possible to raise students’ concerns and have offered support through student advice and wellbeing. We have also been urging students to read the accommodation providers Covid-19 policy before signing their accommodation contract to understand what measures are in place relating to living arrangements and release policies…' Due to the long administrative processes involved, it is difficult to know how many students will be striking. Imran feels that only those who have not been able to live in the halls will take part, but Ward stated ‘students [at the halls] also have rights’ as they have received subpar accommodation and treatment this year. An anonymous international student, who has continuously stayed at Dinwiddy House since 4 October, said they will not be striking: ‘I can’t help but to feel that Sanctuary [Students] has held its side of the deal. They have delivered me what they promised: a place to stay.’ The resident did, however, sympathise with home students who have not been able to return to
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Dinwiddy House, one of the halls where residents will withhold their rent. (credit: Sanctuary Students/Frances Howe)
halls, saying those who are ‘unable to return to London… are still being charged rent. This is unacceptable.’ Ward claimed that Sanctuary Students are not offering an option for students to leave their contracts. Imran feels that the company ‘should have given benefit[s] to the students’ and allowed them not to pay, given the Government advice is to avoid returning to halls. Sanctuary Students have been contacted for comment but have not replied as of the day of publication. The SU has recently declared a housing emergency at SOAS in which they call upon the university to take a ‘loud public stance in support of the rent striking students’ and ‘ensure national governmental policy change regarding release from contract and payment obligations in Covid-19 circumstances.’ Ward
hopes this would offer support to students in private housing, who he understands are in a situation where it is more complicated to withhold rent. He also wants this to bring about long-term changes for students, so they have better chances to find affordable, high-quality housing in the future. Last year, students at Dinwiddy House took part in rent strikes when they were forced to return home during the UK’s first lockdown. This resulted in a legal battle, which is ongoing as of the day of publication. Ward highlighted that this year’s strikers will have more knowledge, are better prepared and should not see the need for legal action. Imran sends a message that despite the uncertain outcome of last year’s campaign ‘students should not lose hope’ when striking this coming April.
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