Week 1 • Humans & Machines

Introduction to Course

Syllabus
ChatGPT Plus
Schedule
Projects
Journaling
Final Collaboration
Tutorials

Module Questions

How have my thoughts, habits, or feelings been shaped by smart technologies?
In what ways do human and machine processes become entangled?
What hopes or fears do I carry about generative AI—and where do they come from?
What does “entanglement” mean in the context of humans and machines?
Can technologies reflect or reshape who we are?

In-Class Activity: Stories of Entanglement

Sign up for the free version of ChatGPT. Use your WSU account in case there are student discounts later. It is important to sign in so that you keep a record of ALL your chats. The free version gives limited access to the new GPT 5, along with in-chat image creation and Custom GPTs. Then download the ChatGPT app for your phone and sign-in to your account for dictation.

Journal Prompt: Write a short story or reflection on a personal moment of machine entanglement (e.g., smartphones and teen life, parenting with algorithms).
Break into small groups: share how you grew up with machines—what positives and negatives came from it?
Group Sharing: Share key themes from your group’s discussion with the whole class.

Follow-Up This Week: Stories of Entanglement

Purpose: Extend your in-class exploration into a free-flowing conversation with ChatGPT to probe human–machine entanglement. Notice how the AI’s role, tone, and your own mode of communication (voice vs. typing) shape the exchange.

Setup

Sign in to the same ChatGPT account you used in class so your chat is saved to your history.
You may type or dictate your starting journal entry (either is fine).
For the conversation itself, you may:
- Use voice only (encouraged) for a more free-flowing exchange, or
- Type if you prefer written reflection.

Conversation Flow (15–20 minutes)

Begin with your story: Start from a personal moment of machine entanglement (you can dictate or type a short paragraph based on your journal).
Assign the AI a role (experiment): Ask it to act as a philosopher, future historian, skeptic, inner voice, or friend. Try at least one role; two is better. Notice how the role shifts the dialogue.
Probe deeply: Explore concerns/fears about AI, how the AI distinguishes human from machine, and how it characterizes the “machine-entangled human.” Push back, ask for examples, and follow threads.
Wrap-up inside the chat: Ask the AI to summarize your conversation and generate three questions for further inquiry.

After the Chat

Ensure it’s saved: Confirm the conversation appears in your ChatGPT history (you must be signed in).
Return to your analog journal: Write a short reflection or summary responding to:
- How did using voice vs. typing affect the flow and depth?
- What moments of entanglement (connection, resistance, misunderstanding) stood out?
- How did the AI’s assigned role change the conversation?
- Reflect on the difference between the student group discussions and the AI discussion.

No deliverables this week. We will build on your experiences in next class’s discussion. Keep your chat in history and your journal notes handy.