AI, Entrepreneurship, and Systems Change
CSPL 340
Fall 2026
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01
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This course examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping public and private systems and the role that entrepreneurs across sectors play within these transformations. The course is grounded in a public leadership perspective, emphasizing that AI-driven change is not only technological or market-based, but deeply social and political. Students will explore how entrepreneurs, policymakers, and civil society actors collectively shape the direction of AI development and use, and how these choices influence societal outcomes. Through case studies, policy debates, and applied projects, students will develop tools to understand and intervene in complex systems. Special attention is given to the distributional impacts of AI-enabled innovation. Collectively, this course aims to support students in developing entrepreneurial, policy, and systems-level approaches that harness AI not only for innovation, but for meaningful social impact. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ALLB |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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Articles, book excerpts, cases, and other media will be hyperlinked from the syllabus. Readings include:
¿ (Chapters) Power and Progress, Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson, PublicAffairs
¿ (Chapters) Co-Intelligence, Ethan Mollick, Portfolio
¿ 2026 AI Index Report, Stanford HAI
¿ Selected case studies
¿ Selected empirical papers on AI, work, and organizations (full citations in syllabus)
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Examinations and Assignments:
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¿ Attendance (mandatory at all sessions)
¿ Class Participation and Case Preparedness
¿ Weekly "AI Current Events" Briefing (rotating presentations on current AI developments)
¿ Weekly Reflection or Discussion Post (250¿500 words)
¿ Midterm: Organizational AI Strategy Analysis
¿ Final: AI-Enabled Intervention Design
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Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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Separate application required to join the course; contact abadr@wesleyan.edu to apply. Participating students will be eligible to join a 2-day, Patricelli Center funded trip to Boston, MA to engage with entrepreneurs and stakeholders leading AI-interventions and policy in Spring 2027.
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Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: .M..... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: NO ROOM; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
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