B5338 - Political Theory of the Digital (1)

Learning outcomes

The course’s aim is to provide specific knowledge and analytical tools regarding different dimensions in which the digital intervenes within social and political processes. Among these, the role of big data and the implications of Artificial Intelligence, data centers and transformations of the territory, smart cities and logistics. At the end of the course the student will have tools to analyze a rapidly changing reality through a global perspective

Course contents

The course will provide, through a theoretical-political approach, useful tools for analyzing and interpreting digitization as a technological, material and political phenomenon, in order to actively address some of the most relevant transformation processes in contemporary societies.

The course consists of two modules, during which the major challenges posed by digital technologies today will be addressed from a theoretical-political perspective. In the course of the three modules, particular attention will be paid to social and material processes, together with a discussion of some of the main critical theories on digital and Artificial Intelligence.

The first module will focus on the basic concepts and mechanisms of digitization, from the rise of computation and the establishment of the cybernetic paradigm and logistics to algorithmic power and more recent developments related to Artificial Intelligence. In this module, the logic of digitization will be discussed along with the social transformations related to the development and use of algorithms, software and protocols.

The second module will look more specifically at some of the most relevant social and material processes related to the digital. In particular, the role of infrastructures, raw materials and the impact on the environment will be addressed, as well as the political dimension of the cloud, starting from structures such as data centers and connection networks that make up a new spatial dimension intertwined with geopolitics.

Discussing the relationship between technology, capitalism and power, issues concerning the organization of work, the role of platforms and the penetration of algorithmic power into governance practices will be addressed.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

The exam program is as follows:

A. A general reference text:

Kate Crawford, Né intelligente né artificiale. Il lato oscuro dell’IA, trad. it. Bologna, il Mulino, 2021.

B. One of the following texts:

Francesca Balestrieri e Luca Balestrieri, Tecnologie dell’impero. AI, quantum computing, 6G e la nuova geopolitica del potere, Roma, LUISS University Press, 2024.

Tiziano Bonini, Emiliano Treré, Algoritmi per resistere. La lotta quotidiana contro il potere delle piattaforme, trad. it. Milano, Mondadori, 2025.

Diletta Huyskes, Tecnologia della rivoluzione. Progresso e battaglie sociali dal microonde all’intelligenza artificiale, ilSaggiatore, 2025.

Into the Black Box (a cura di), Capitalismo 4.0. Genealogia della Rivoluzione Digitale, Milano, Meltemi, 2021.

Vili Lehdonvirta, Cloud Empires. Come le piattaforme digitali stanno superando gli Stati e come possiamo riprenderne il controllo (2022), trad. it. Milano, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 2023.

Asma Mhalla, Tecnopolitica. Come la tecnologia ci rende soldati, trad. it. Add editore, Torino, 2025.

Helga Nowotny, Le machine di Dio. Gli algoritmi predittivi e l’illusione del controllo, trad. It. Roma, Luiss University Press, 2022.

Antonio A. Casilli, Schiavi del clic. Perché lavoriamo tutti per il nuovo capitalismo? (2019), trad. it. Milano, Feltrinelli, 2021.

Matteo Pasquinelli, Nell’occhio dell’algoritmo. Storia e critica dell’intelligenza artificiale, trad. it. Roma, Carocci, 2025.

Shoshana Zuboff, Il capitalismo sorveglianza. Il futuro dell’umanità nell’era dei nuovi poteri, trad. it. Roma, LUISS University Press, 2019.

Additional texts may be agreed with the teacher.

The indicated texts are regarded as general references for the course; further references will be provided during the classes.

Teaching methods

The course will be conducted mainly through lectures. However, ample space will be left for collective discussion and the active participation of students is suggested.

Assessment methods

The final examination is oral.

Non-attending students must bring text A plus a text from list B to be agreed with the teacher by e-mail.

Attending students may bring the same programme consisting of text A and a text from list B to be agreed with the teacher. Attending students are also allowed (and recommended) to submit a written paper (max. 30,000 characters) on a topic agreed with the teacher. The paper must be submitted one week before the exam date, during which it will be discussed with the teacher.

The assessment will take into account knowledge of the texts and the ability to identify the main arguments and critically discuss their contents. For attending students, the paper will be assessed on the basis of the ability to use and articulate different bibliographical sources, the argumentation and quality of the writing and the possible discussion during the exam. In addition, active involvement during the course will be positively assessed.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Grappi