Phenomenology of Artificial Intelligence

Veronica Cibotaru (University of Tübingen)

Phenomenology of Artificial Intelligence  

BSP Online Course

Registration open now  

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked numerous philosophical debates, revealing that AI is not merely a sophisticated technological invention but also a profound philosophical problem. From its onset, AI has been modeled in many ways after assumptions about how human intelligence works.  

Phenomenology, as a philosophical tradition, offers unique insights into human cognition, perception, and consciousness. By focusing on the lived experience and the embodied nature of intelligence, phenomenology challenges reductionist views of intelligence and provides a more holistic approach to understanding how artificial systems might (or might not) reflect human intelligence. This course will explore the ways in which phenomenological concepts can illuminate key issues in the philosophy of AI and help us navigate the conceptual and ethical challenges posed by these emerging technologies.  

This course focuses on four key concepts and their phenomenological treatment as applied to AI: embodiment, lifeworld, meaning, and consciousness.  

BSP Online courses focus on phenomenological thinkers or topics and are taught by experts in the field. The sessions last 1.5 hours and are held once a week online, over consecutive weeks. This will include a lecture and time for discussion / Q&A. Reading materials or any other course materials will be provided in advance. Catch-up recordings are available in case anyone misses any sessions!  

Course Leader: Veronica Cibotaru (University of Tübingen and the Husserl Archives, Paris)

Sessions: 4 sessions over 4 weeks Dates: 7 / 14 / 21 / 28 June – weekly – Sundays

Time: 7:00–8:30pm UK time

Location: Online (Teams)  

Find out some more about BSP2026OC2: Phenomenology of Artificial Intelligence