Postgraduate taster lectures

Behind every AI system lies a sea of complex data – but how do we turn that into stories people can understand? In this taster session, you’ll discover how vast datasets can be transformed into clear, compelling narratives.

You’ll experiment with hands-on tools to build interactive visualisations, explore case studies where data storytelling unlocked new discoveries, and consider the ethical questions that arise when shaping AI insights for the public. See how data, design and storytelling collide – and how these skills can set you apart in postgraduate study and beyond.

Projects are how we turn ideas into action – whether solving problems, innovating, or launching new services. Success depends on more than just good ideas: it requires critical thinking, feasibility assessment, resource planning, and a clear definition of what success looks like.

This lecture explores how project management provides a structured approach to problem-solving and decision-making. You’ll learn how to identify root causes, evaluate solutions, plan effectively, and align strategy with resources – essential skills for leading change in any organisation.

What exactly is artificial intelligence – and how should we think about it? In this taster lecture, Professor Brian Ball will explore the deep connections between philosophy and AI. He will define wh AI really is (and isn’t), trace its fascinating history and evolving ambitions, and share new research from the Computational Philosophy Lab on AI and information ethics.

This accessible introduction is perfect for anyone curious about how philosophical thinking can illuminate today’s most urgent technological questions.

Does a poem need to rhyme? And if it does, what kind of rhyme works best? As humans, we’re naturally drawn to pattern, which makes rhyme and repetition some of the most powerful tools in a poet’s toolkit.

In this interactive session, we’ll explore the many ways poets use repetition – from strict rhyme schemes to playful half-rhymes, alliteration, and fractured patterns that surprise the ear. You’ll see how such techniques can create mood, rhythm, and meaning, while experimenting with them in a supportive workshop environment.

From GitHub Copilot to ChatGPT plugins and autonomous trading systems, AI agents are already transforming how work gets done. In this session, we’ll explore the real impact of these tools: how companies are deploying them today, and what that means for the future of jobs – which roles are set to evolve, and which may disappear altogether.

We’ll also unpack the technical foundations that distinguish modern agents from traditional automation and consider the ethical challenges of human–AI collaboration. Join us to examine how this new wave of intelligent agents is reshaping industries and redefining the future of work.

Project management mirrors entrepreneurship in almost every way – vision, resource coordination, adaptability, and stakeholder leadership – minus the personal financial risk. This lecture explores how those skills not only prepare you for entrepreneurship but also open doors to intrapreneurship: driving innovation, product launches, and transformation initiatives inside established organisations.

Discover how project management builds the competencies that boost employability, fuel leadership, and provide a launchpad for both organisational impact and future ventures of your own.

How should we think about ethics in an age transformed by AI? Since the 1950s, philosophers have often divided ethics into two strands: first-order theories about how we should act, and second-order (“metaethical”) reflection on those theories. But does this mid-20th-century framework still work for today’s challenges?

In this session, we’ll question that traditional schema and explore a richer alternative. Drawing on Iris Murdoch and other influential thinkers, we’ll consider how imagination can reshape ethical thought – and how philosophy must evolve to meet the demands of our technological age.

You’ll also get an inside look at postgraduate study at Northeastern University London, including an overview of the MA Philosophy and AI programme and a live Q&A with our expert panel.

Should corporations be seen as moral agents, capable of responsibility and blame? Do their duties extend beyond shareholders to employees, customers, communities — even future generations?

This session asks tough questions: Where do we draw the moral limits of markets?
Are there things money should never buy? Can businesses operate responsibly in a competitive economy?

Through real-world case studies, we’ll explore how moral and political philosophy can shine a light on the ethical challenges of modern business. You’ll see how the course blends philosophy with practice to prepare future leaders for ethically informed decision-making.