Explore the complexities of studying AI's societal impact through this comprehensive tutorial presented at FAccT 2021. Delve into the politics of "studying up," addressing challenges in funding, context, infrastructure, data, and normalization. Learn effective strategies for identifying AI-related harms, understanding people's experiences with AI, and how activists create evidence. Examine methods for locating AI within broader systems and assessing its social impact. Gain insights on maintaining working relationships while conducting critical research. Engage with expert perspectives from Noopur Raval, Radhika Radhakrishnan, Ranjit Singh, and Vidushi Marda as they share their "AI on the Ground" approach to understanding the implications of artificial intelligence in society.