Large-language models (LLMs) are the technology presently driving new developments in artificial intelligence (AI) such as the software products now generating images and human-language text. LLMs are produced, or “trained” in technical parlance, by scraping massive amounts of textual data and using software algorithms to process this data to produce models of human knowledge and speech. In this course, students will identify a large body of text, or “corpus”, will use the Python programming language to craft code that will build such a model, and will make a basic interface to allow users to engage with this model by generating human language. Digital Currents is a hands-on, project-oriented workshop on contemporary digital technology in the Code as a Liberal Art program. The course will meet for 12 hours over 4 weeks of the semester. Coursework will include reading popular journalism and trade press, as well as scholarship in media and science & technology studies to establish historical context and engagement with the ongoing debates and controversies. Students will be given practical, technical instruction, and will end the course having produced a final project using this technology. No prior coding experience is required but students are advised to first take LCOD 2000 and LCOD 2010, 2012, or 2013. This course is repeatable for credit.

Large-language models (LLMs) are the technology presently driving new developments in artificial intelligence (AI) such as the software products now generating images and human-language text. LLMs are produced, or “trained” in technical parlance, by scraping massive amounts of textual data and using software algorithms to process this data to produce models of human knowledge and speech. In this course, students will identify a large body of text, or “corpus”, will use the Python programming language to craft code that will build such a model, and will make a basic interface to allow users to engage with this model by generating human language. Digital Currents is a hands-on, project-oriented workshop on contemporary digital technology in the Code as a Liberal Art program. The course will meet for 12 hours over 4 weeks of the semester. Coursework will include reading popular journalism and trade press, as well as scholarship in media and science & technology studies to establish historical context and engagement with the ongoing debates and controversies. Students will be given practical, technical instruction, and will end the course having produced a final project using this technology. No prior coding experience is required but students are advised to first take LCOD 2000 and LCOD 2010, 2012, or 2013. This course is repeatable for credit.