The AI Age is driving a new, “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” according to World Economic Forum founder, Klaus Schwab. Could the real histories of the first three industrial revolutions help us navigate the disinformation crisis and the social, political, economic and environmental impact of this shift? Algorithmic platforms and AI tools, like those used in Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are relatively new, but the hidden power structures that have shaped their rise and use are not. This course explores the big histories behind algorithmic technologies in two ways. First, class discussions, workshops, and guest lectures introduce students to overlooked histories behind our present moment, from the wild history of venture capital and tech monopolies to the rise of the early internet, and the big histories behind issues like facial recognition, celebrity, militarization, and privacy. Second, we explore the human reasons behind how and why social media platforms and AI tools, have amplified and automated disinformation and historical biases online. Hands-on research and projects help students explore and develop real solutions to displace disinformation, protect democratic elections, and provide the public better access to accurate historical content on social media. Restricted to first-year students.