Psychology: Artificial Intelligence and Psychology

This course gives you a clear and practical introduction to artificial intelligence from a psychological perspective. You explore how different AI models work and how they can help us understand thinking, behaviour and the brain. The course explains generative AI, neural networks, deep learning, biological neural networks and modern language models, and shows how each model relates to human cognition.

You learn why AI is important in psychology today: it can simulate mental processes, support research, and help analyse large amounts of behavioural or brain data. The course also introduces central concepts in machine learning and demonstrates how these tools are used to study decisions, language or cognitive functions.

You will also develop an ability to compare artificial and natural cognition, discuss the strengths and limits of different AI systems, and reflect on ethical and societal questions linked to AI. By the end of the course, you understand how AI and psychology influence each other — and why this makes the field so relevant to study.

You study on site in Lund at the Department of Psychology and classes are held in English.

No prior knowledge of AI or psychology is needed.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Teaching combines lectures, group exercises, lab sessions and project work. It is designed to help you understand both the theory behind AI models and how these models are used in psychological research. Most activities require active participation, which helps you understand the material step by step.

You start by exploring generative AI and different types of neural networks. Through examples and demonstrations, you see how these systems process information and what they reveal about memory, learning or language. You also explore deep learning and biological neural networks and compare how artificial networks differ from the human brain.

A central part is learning basic machine-learning methods. You practise analysing small datasets related to behaviour or brain activity, and you use language models in simple psychological tasks to understand how they handle meaning and communication.

In the project module at the end of the course, you choose a topic that connects AI and psychology. You collect data, run an analysis or conduct a literature study. You present your project in writing and orally.

Paradis: a central study environment in Lund

The Paradis area is where most of Lund University's social science programmes are taught. The campus is centrally located in Lund, in a historic neighborhood. Many of the buildings here were formerly hospitals, which is why they have been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (Old Surgery) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (Old Children's Hospital). The buildings were constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries and are valuable from a cultural and historical perspective, giving the area a unique character.  

Another thing that distinguishes Paradis from other parts of Lund University is the proximity between different study environments, libraries, and cafés, all surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant outdoor areas. In the area, you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. Next to Sambib is Micrologen, where you can easily heat up your own lunch box. In the area you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located. There are two cafés here: Café Eden and Karnas café. Here you can have a coffee, eat lunch, or take a break between lectures. Since the Paradis area is centrally located in Lund, you are also close to restaurants, other cafés, and the central station.

You leave with a solid foundation in artificial intelligence from a psychological viewpoint. You understand the basics of AI, neural networks, machine learning and language, and how these tools relate to human cognition.

You also learn to discuss the potential, risks and ethical challenges of AI, and how AI affects individuals and society. These skills are valuable in many areas that involve behaviour, communication, technology or data.

The course prepares you for further studies in cognitive psychology, AI-related psychology, neuroscience, behavioural science and other areas where AI and the human mind meet.

Prerequisites

General requirements and studies equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary School course Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2/Social Studies level 1b or level 1a2

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.