SODA 110NSocial Data, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence

3 credits · Social Data Analytics · Penn State

SoDA 110N introduces students to the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology through the lens of human-generated data and societal applications. Emphasizing how data is produced and structured before it is ever used in algorithmic systems, the course examines the pipeline from raw human-generated data to AI implementation. Through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, students develop foundational literacy in data systems and analytics processes, while critically exploring the social, political, and ethical implications of AI. Designed for students from diverse disciplines, the course requires no prior programming experience and fulfills General Education requirements.