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Which costs disappear when AI is described only as software?

An AI service depends on material and human systems that a user-facing interface can conceal.

AI & computationThinker · Selected readingBeginner friendly
Background and goal

No prior study required. Read the assigned passage; the route is an introduction, not a survey of the whole subject.

Map a fictional voice assistant’s data, labour and material dependencies, marking which claims need outside evidence.

Your pathway

4 steps · 3 hours
  1. 01

    Begin in fifteen minutes

    0.25h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    First fifteen minutesWrite your initial answer to “Which costs disappear when AI is described only as software?” in three sentences. Keep it to compare with your final answer.
    Your outputThree-sentence starting answer
  2. 02

    Read the argument

    1h · week 1
    Anatomy of an AI System

    Kate Crawford · Vladan Joler · reference

    Opening overview and the first section that addresses the pathway question. Stop after 30–45 minutes; this is selected reading.

    Free full text

    Open the reading
    Reading notes and task

    Anatomy of an AI System. Research on AI’s material, labour and political conditions. Trace a system beyond its interface to extraction, human work and data infrastructures.

    Try thisRead Opening overview and the first section that addresses the pathway question. Stop after 30–45 minutes; this is selected reading.. Mark one claim, its reason and a passage you do not yet understand.
    Your outputAnnotated argument
    Check your understanding

    Answer this question in your own words: Which costs disappear when AI is described only as software?

    Hint

    Name the claim, then explain why a reader might accept it.

    Compare with an example answer

    An AI service depends on material and human systems that a user-facing interface can conceal.

    What to look for

    • States a claim that addresses the question
    • Connects the claim to a passage or observation
    • Separates the author’s argument from personal agreement

    Common mistake: Summarising a biography instead of explaining the argument.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

  3. 03

    Try the idea

    1h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisMap a fictional voice assistant’s data, labour and material dependencies, marking which claims need outside evidence.
    Your outputWorked example
    Check your understanding

    What would make your activity a convincing example?

    Hint

    Map a fictional voice assistant’s data, labour and material dependencies, marking which claims need outside evidence.

    Compare with an example answer

    A useful response carries out the task: Map a fictional voice assistant’s data, labour and material dependencies, marking which claims need outside evidence. It records the observation or passage used and explains how it bears on the question.

    What to look for

    • Completes the specific task
    • Shows evidence or reasoning rather than only a conclusion
    • Identifies an alternative explanation or reading

    Common mistake: Presenting an opinion without showing the example it rests on.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

  4. 04

    Explain what changed

    0.75h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisRevise your initial answer. Include one passage, one reason and one limit: A supply-chain map explains dependencies; it is not a measurement of every system’s exact impact.
    Your outputRevised answer with a reading reference
    Check your understanding

    What is one conclusion this reading does not establish?

    Hint

    Test the boundary: A supply-chain map explains dependencies; it is not a measurement of every system’s exact impact.

    Compare with an example answer

    A supply-chain map explains dependencies; it is not a measurement of every system’s exact impact.

    What to look for

    • States a specific limit
    • Explains why the reading does not warrant the stronger conclusion
    • Distinguishes a limitation from dismissing the work

    Common mistake: Treating a useful interpretation as an unrestricted fact.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

All 1 resources

Background, different viewpoints, and further reading.

  • Anatomy of an AI System

    Kate Crawford · Vladan Jolerreferencecore

    Research on AI’s material, labour and political conditions. Trace a system beyond its interface to extraction, human work and data infrastructures.

    Opening overview and the first section that addresses the pathway question. Stop after 30–45 minutes; this is selected reading.

Continue learning

  • Study Kate Crawford

    Introduces the question and vocabulary used in the longer selected reading.

    AI & computationSome background