In this Age of AI, the world is changing rapidly. Regardless of your technical background, this is a course which will explore inventions and their profound impacts on human society now and in the future.  We will start with a brief overview of major inventions which have changed societies and our way of living, thinking and surviving.  Inventions often have multi-domain spillovers: they do not just solve a task; they reconfigure whole systems—health, industry, information, mobility, and energy—producing compounding economic and social effects over decades.

Inventions are not simply “aha” moments of brilliant people but occur through a number of different factors.  As one example we will watch a demonstration from IDEO, a major idea company as they invent a brand-new form of a shopping cart.  “Some of the greatest discoveries involve a Seinfeld-ian paradox: enormous value hides in the realm that most people call ‘nothing.’”

Through suggested readings which will be sent in advance, you will gain an understanding of how inventions affect us personally and our society.  Consider how your daily life is formed around often unseen inventions.  Think about what led to that discovery.  Realize that we are dependent upon so many people and organizations which help us to live.

Studying inventions offers us new insights into other intellectual topics.  Topics to be covered include how creativity and neuroscience are critical aspects of inventions.  We will learn some models of discovery, and you may even want to create your own invention during this course.  If you would like to, what invention might it be?

The class will be discussion with some lectures.  Readings will be provided in advance, and weekly preparation time should be 1-2 hours.

Please note that there will be no class on March 5, and that the last class will be on April 9, during the break week.