Bridging Technical Innovation and Public Understanding

Course Outline

Abstract

This interdisciplinary communications course addresses the critical gap between artificial intelligence research and public understanding. Designed for MSc and PhD students of the relAI Zuse School, the course explores how to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences while examining the cultural, ethical, and societal implications of relAI technologies. Participants will engage with fundamental questions about relAI representation, public perception, and the responsibility of researchers to engage meaningfully with society. The course combines theoretical frameworks from science communication with practical skills development, preparing the next generation of relAI researchers to be effective communicators and thoughtful contributors to public discourse about artificial intelligence. The course will consist of two days of group work. The first focused on consuming new information, the second on receiving practical feedback about a communications piece each student will prepare

Course Plan

Day 1: Wednesday, December 17th: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Online Session.

Foundations of AI Communication

• The Communication Challenge in AI
  • Current state of AI public understanding
  • Common misconceptions and their origins
• Theoretical Frameworks
  • Media representation and framing effects
  • The deficit model vs. dialogue model of science communication
  • Communication approaches and Mediums
• Visual Communication of AI
  • Analysis of AI imagery in media and academia
  • The problem of anthropomorphic representations
  • Robots, Voice assistants and gender stereotypes
  • Alternative visual metaphors for AI concepts
• Workshop: Deconstructing AI Narratives
  • Group analysis of current AI media coverage
  • Identifying bias and assumptions in popular AI discourse
  • Discussion and reflection
• Public Attitudes Toward AI
  • Research findings on public perception
  • Cultural differences in AI acceptance
  • Fear, hope, and the spectrum of public response
  • Communicating uncertainty and limitations
• Ethics and Responsibility in AI Communication,
  • The researcher's role in public engagement
  • Balancing optimism with realistic expectations
  • Communicating uncertainty and limitations

Day 2: Tuesday, January 13th: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Hybrid Session.

• Presentation and Critique
  • Each student will present their piece in their selected medium to the larger group and receive constructive feedback in the style of an editorial workshop

How to join

Register by 20 November 2025 in this form.