Skip to content
Honors

Home Praxis Lab When Machines Decide: The Promise and Peril of Big Data
Policy & Social Justice 2016-2017

When Machines Decide: The Promise and Peril of Big Data

In an era of information abundance, this Praxis Lab examined the profound ways in which data collection, machine learning, and automated decision-making shape modern society. From social media tracking and facial recognition to AI-driven loan approvals and predictive policing, students explored the ethical, legal, and societal implications of living in a world where nearly every aspect of life is monitored and analyzed.

Throughout the year, students engaged with real-world case studies, debated the promises and risks of Big Data, and investigated how emerging technologies influence personal freedoms, privacy, and systemic biases. Their final project tackled key questions about the balance between innovation and regulation, exploring solutions for a more equitable and responsible data-driven future.

Instructors:

Randy Dryer

Suresh Venkatasubramanian

More Praxis Labs

Overworked, Underpaid, and Burned Out: How Work Sustains Health Inequities
Health & Society, Policy & Social Justice

Overworked, Underpaid, and Burned Out: How Work Sustains Health Inequities

Emily Ahonen
Camie Schafer

Reimagine the role of work in shaping health, equity, and justice—while exploring how we might build a better future.

More Info2025-2026
Psychedelics & Mental Health
Health & Society, Policy & Social Justice

Psychedelics & Mental Health

Tomas Melicher
Amanda Stoeckel

Examine the science, ethics, and applications of psychedelics in mental health—culminating in student-led, community-focused projects.

More Info2025-2026
Environmental Exposure & Health: Analyzing Estimates through Artificial Intelligence
Energy & Environment, Health & Society, Policy & Social Justice

Environmental Exposure & Health: Analyzing Estimates through Artificial Intelligence

Daniel Mendoza
Simon Brewer

Use Salt Lake City as your lab to explore how AI and environmental data can uncover the hidden health effects of air quality and climate.

More Info2025-2026