CCN202 Automating the Digital World
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CCN202 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | ((CCN112 or CCQ112) OR ((CCN103 or CCQ103) and (CCN105 or CCQ105))) |
| Equivalent(s): | CCQ202 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,452 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 03A 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 24 Feb 2025)
| Unit code: | CCN202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ((CCN112 or CCQ112) OR ((CCN103 or CCQ103) and (CCN105 or CCQ105))) |
| Equivalent: | CCQ202 |
| Coordinator: | Patrik Wikstrom | patrik.wikstrom@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces contemporary research on the impacts and ethical implications of automation for communication, media, and society. It explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other forms of automation are transforming communication, the media and communication industry and the wider society. It also addresses the ethical issues surrounding how these technologies are used. It is critically important that digital communication professionals have a future-focused orientation towards emerging technologies that are likely to further disrupt media and communications environments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critique the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence and automation on the ways people communicate online, communication and media industries and the wider society.
- Discuss different ethical approaches to automation and artificial intelligence technologies.
- Evaluate recent scholarship in the field of digital communication on the roles of artificial intelligence and automation.
- Craft effective communication to advise on policy.
Content
This unit will explore the following topics:
- Algorithmic culture and communication
- Automation in media and communication industries
- Impacts and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for communication
- Ethical practice in the context of automation and AI
- Designing human-centred AI and Indigenous perspectives
- Policy developments in response to AI
- Communicating with policy advisors
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face.
Learning experiences in this unit include:
- participating in class/online tutorials
- attending lectures
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:
- Informal formative feedback in tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will be required to complete two assessment items:
1. Auditing automated systems - This task draws on the unit’s introduction to policy developments in response to automation to develop a report on the social and ethical implications of a particular AI-driven technology. The report will include recommendations to policymakers, which will be informed by critical perspectives on AI, including Indigenous approaches to developing automated technologies.
2. Automated content creation and curation - Students will evaluate how AI-driven content creation and curation mechanisms (e.g., video recommendations and trending content algorithms) influence user engagement, content diversity, and creator practices.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Auditing automated systems
An AI Audit is a structured evaluation process where AI systems are tested, analysed, and assessed against ethical, safety, and policy standards. In this assignment, you will act as an "AI Auditor," examining two AI models to evaluate how well these models uphold their stated policies and commitments. The audit will consist of two main components: empirical testing and policy analysis.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Automated content creation and curation
You will evaluate how a specific platform's AI-driven content creation and curation mechanisms (e.g., video recommendations and trending content algorithms) influence user engagement, content diversity, and creator practices.
You will use a structured framework to analyse the system's strengths and limitations, making evidence-based improvement recommendations.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Risk Assessment Statement
All on-campus students are required to complete the online Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities.
You are advised to back-up your digital files on a regular basis to ensure work is not lost if there is a hardware failure. Information about the free file storage provided by QUT for students is available on the Storing your files page.
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO3, Auditing automated systems, Automated content creation and curation - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Auditing automated systems, Automated content creation and curation - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Automated content creation and curation
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO3, Auditing automated systems, Automated content creation and curation - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Auditing automated systems, Automated content creation and curation - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Automated content creation and curation