In this course, we “save the world" and teach you to do the same using scientific experimentation and writing. During the weeks of the semester, we explore ways to create and use technology to assess and solve real-world societal, political and governance problems. In a hands-on lab format, we jointly tackle three real-world technology-society clashes and provide timely solutions or interventions. As the weeks unfold, we relax the structure, so by the end of the semester, you design and implement your own experiments that have real-world impact. Students in this class have often published papers that have modified practices in big tech companies and inspired legal and regulatory change. This course assumes no computer science or data science background, includes a project fair at the end of the term, and has collaborative interactions with students in a similar course at Harvard College.
This course has collaborative interactions with students in a similar course at Harvard College (Gov 1430). HKS students can elect to attend Gov1430 on Wednesdays, which meets 1:30-2:45p. Likewise, students from Gov 1430 may elect to attend DPI-642 on Thursdays.
