Responsible Design of Interactive AI-Systems 7.5 credits

About the course

This advanced level course is aimed to deepen knowledge and skills in design methodology for responsible development of interactive, intelligent systems and environments with focus on human-centered artificial intelligens (AI), and in theories for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) theory and new technology for interacting and collaborating with intelligent software agents and environments. The course builds upon research and theories developed in the intersection of AI and HCI, with special focus on socio-technical systems embedding AI, human-AI collaboration and related ethical and social aspects. Some of the core questions in focus during the course will be

How are we going to collaborate with AI technology in the future?
What happens with control and autonomy when the system learns and changes behaviour over time?
How do we design an interactive, intelligent system in such a way that we embed into the system mechanisms for weighing together different stakeholders values in multicultural contexts (e.g. moral and ethics), as well as explaining its reasoning and guarantee transparency? and
How do we embed a continuing responsible and participatory design process throughout the use of intelligent and collaborative systems?

The course is divided into the following two parts:
Module 1: Theory and methodology (4,5 ECT)
The theoretical part covers theoretical frameworks and methods for designing and evaluating interactive intelligent systems, and adopts a responsible AI perspective. The socio-technical systems perspective will be applied throughout the course with theories and methods supporting the development of socially intelligent systems. This includes human-centric factors vital when developing AI-based interactive systems, such as the effect of use, mechanisms for human development, motivation, behavior change, autonomy, empowerment, competence, relatedness, value for the individual and society, responsibility, accountability and ethics.

Methodology includes in particular responsible AI design, participatory action research approaches and activity-centered design. The theory and methodologies are applied in group exercises and in an interdisciplinary project in Module 2.

Module 2: Practical application of theory and methods in a project (3 ECT)
Theories and methods brought up in Module 1 are applied in a group project, which is conducted in parallel with the theoretical part. The project topic is motivated by a societal challenge and focuses on engaging potential end users and other stakeholders in an interdisciplinary participatory design process. Design activities can be done in labs with technology and material for prototype development and evaluation, and in environments outside of the university that stakeholders provide.

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Spring 2026
- Responsible Design of Interactive AI-Systems
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 15 September 2025
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
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  Starts
  19 January 2026
  
  Ends
  23 March 2026
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-57306
  
  Eligibility At least 90 ECTS, including 60 ECTS Computing Science, or 120 ECTS within a study programme. At least 15 ECTS artificial intelligence, including 7.5 ECTS on the advanced level. Proficiency in English equivalent to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  The online application opens 15 September 2025 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 October 2025.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 19,038
  
  Total fee: SEK 19,038
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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