Progress? Technology and Public Policy

GSPP 147/247

Professor Andrew W. Reddie  | Spring Semester | 4 units

In this course, you will explore the intersection of technology and public policy and learn how these two fields are inextricably linked. You will examine the impact of technology on society and how public policy can shape the development and use of technology. You will also delve into the ethical considerations surrounding technology, including privacy, security, and accessibility. By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of how technology and public policy intersect and how you can use this knowledge to make a positive impact in the world working in fields as diverse as climate policy, security policy, and economic policy. As you might expect, technologies discussed during the course of the seminar include AI and ML, cybersecurity and privacy, renewable energy and geoengineering, biotechnology and genetic engineering, robotics and automation, virtual/augmented reality and spatial computing, blockchain and distributed ledger technology, 5G networks and wireless communication, and quantum computing.

Game Changer? AI and Public Policy

PUBPOL 138

Professor Andrew W. Reddie  | Spring Semester | 4 units

This course examines the public policy challenges posed by the development, deployment, and adoption of AI technologies. As AI reshapes industries, economies, and societies, policymakers face complex issues regarding regulation, ethics, equity, and governance. This class offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the policy implications of AI, exploring its impact on areas such as labor markets, privacy, security, healthcare, and democratic governance. Naturally, students will engage in key debates surrounding AI ethics, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, transparency, and accountability. They will explore regulatory frameworks for AI, comparing national and international approaches to governance, with a focus on the tensions between innovation, societal good, and potential risks. Case studies of AI applications in the public and private sectors will illustrate both the promises and pitfalls of AI adoption. The course will also critically assess the role of AI in exacerbating or mitigating inequalities, touching on issues of access, workforce displacement, and global disparities in AI capabilities. Students will be challenged to consider how public policy can balance innovation with public safety, democratic values, and human rights. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to analyze the public policy implications of AI technologies and develop informed, actionable strategies for governing their societal impact.

Technology, Risk, and Security Colloquium

PUBPOL 290

Professor Andrew W. Reddie  | Spring and Fall Semesters | 1 units

This interdisciplinary colloquium explores the complex challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies pose to national and international security. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, the course delves into how advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, space technologies, and cyber capabilities are reshaping the global security landscape. Via a combination of expert lectures, case studies, and in-depth discussions, students will engage with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from across the university and the broader community including government officials, industry leaders, and the nonprofit sector. The colloquium is also designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among students and serve as a jumping-off point for research articles, honors theses, and dissertations.

Space and Security Policy

PUB POL C151

Professor Andrew W. Reddie and Benjamin Bahney | Fall Semester | 4 units

This course (cross-listed with the College of Engineering’s Aerospace Program and co-taught with a colleague from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) explores the intersection of space and national security policy, focusing on the impacts of the evolving strategic environment in space. Students examine the key actors, technologies, and policy frameworks that shape the role of space in the global economy and in modern defense. Topics include: satellite technologies, the militarization of space, the role of private industry in the domain, and governance challenges posed by emerging technologies. The course engages with case studies on U.S., Russian, and Chinese space policies, and international efforts to govern space. By the end of the course, students will understand how space capabilities influence international security and are prepared to take part in policy debates.

Nuclear Security

PUB POL C285

Professor Andrew W. Reddie and Professor Bethany Goldblum | Fall Semester | 4 units

This course is offered as part of the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium and administered by the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the Goldman School of Public Policy. The purpose of the course is to educate students on the policy roots and technological foundations of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons so that they are positioned to make original contributions to the field in their scholarly and professional careers. The course will review the origins and evolution of nuclear energy, how it has been applied for both peaceful and military purposes, and the current and prospective challenges it presents. Besides lectures and class discussion, students will participate in a semester-long project course, described in the capstone project description. Students will also participate in a crisis simulation exercise on a topic selected during the semester. Seven guest lecturers will also contribute their perspectives.

Technology, Risk, and Security Colloquium

PUBPOL 290

Professor Andrew W. Reddie  | Spring and Fall Semesters | 1 units

This interdisciplinary colloquium explores the complex challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies pose to national and international security. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, the course delves into how advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, space technologies, and cyber capabilities are reshaping the global security landscape. Via a combination of expert lectures, case studies, and in-depth discussions, students will engage with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from across the university and the broader community including government officials, industry leaders, and the nonprofit sector. The colloquium is also designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among students and serve as a jumping-off point for research articles, honors theses, and dissertations.

War? Emerging Technologies and National Security Policy

PUBPOL 145/245

Professor Andrew W. Reddie  | Fall Semester | 4 units

Will artificial intelligence (AI) technologies revolutionize warfare? Can the threat of cyber attacks be used to deter adversaries? How do governments drive technological innovation in support of national security? What is the responsibility of the private sector when engaging in R&D with dual-use applications? To answer these questions, this course examines the intersection between politics, security, and technology both in the United States and across the globe. The course is divided into four parts: 1) Linking Politics, Security, and Technology in Theory; 2) Technology and War: A History; 3) Today’s “Emerging” Technologies; and 4) Tomorrow’s Technologies. Given the necessary breadth, our seminar will consider work from international relations, economics, science and technology studies, law, as well as non-academic writing in popular outlets. Topics include: offset strategies, offense-defense balance theory, grey-zone competition, conceptualizing strategic stability, escalation, the economics of industrial policy, and innovation policy. Technologies considered include: robotics, autonomous platforms (UAVs, UUVs), sensors for remote detection, machine learning (ML), hypersonic missiles, missile defense technologies, and nuclear modernization.