AI and Ethics: Privacy, Surveillance, Bias and Transparency

Explore the ethical challenges of AI and data

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to make decisions, analyse information and perform tasks once carried out by people. But when AI relies on personal data, how can we understand and respond to the ethical issues these systems raise?

This two-week taster course introduces key ideas in AI ethics and data ethics. You’ll explore ethical questions around privacy, surveillance, bias and transparency, using real-world examples, discussion and practical activities.

Explore AI, privacy and surveillance

Consider what AI is and how AI systems depend on data. Explore privacy and surveillance in the age of AI, including personal data, online consent and data collection.

Understand AI bias and black boxes

Discover how bias can enter AI systems and why some AI decision-making processes can be difficult to understand. Explore the ethical issues raised by biased and opaque systems and their impact on people and society.

Apply ethical thinking to real-world examples

Investigate current uses of AI and consider their potential benefits and ethical concerns. A case study of the COMPAS algorithm explores questions around bias, transparency and decision-making in practice.

Consider approaches to ethical challenges

Explore ways of addressing ethical challenges, including algorithmic transparency and accountability, codes of ethics, and reappraising the kinds of AI systems that we create. You’ll also examine professional codes of ethics and how they can help address ethical issues in AI.

You’ll learn through videos, readings, polls, knowledge checks, and discussions. By the end of the course, you’ll have explored key ethical questions around AI and data and considered how ethical principles can inform the development and use of AI.

This course is for anyone interested in the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and data. It may be particularly relevant to professionals working in law, healthcare, finance, engineering, local government, IT, HR, professional services, policy, governance or leadership roles, especially where AI and data are influencing decision-making. The course is also suitable if you are considering further study in AI ethics, data ethics or related fields. No specialist technical knowledge is required. This taster course focuses on understanding and discussing the ethical issues raised by AI rather than developing AI systems or programming skills.

This course is for anyone interested in the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and data. It may be particularly relevant to professionals working in law, healthcare, finance, engineering, local government, IT, HR, professional services, policy, governance or leadership roles, especially where AI and data are influencing decision-making. The course is also suitable if you are considering further study in AI ethics, data ethics or related fields. No specialist technical knowledge is required. This taster course focuses on understanding and discussing the ethical issues raised by AI rather than developing AI systems or programming skills.

• Explain key concepts and forms of artificial intelligence.
• Discuss the ethical significance of privacy, consent, and personal data collection in AI systems.
• Evaluate contrasting philosophical approaches to privacy and surveillance and apply them to contemporary AI-related issues.
• Explain how unfair bias can enter AI systems and the ethical concerns this raises.
• Discuss the ‘black box’ problem and its implications for transparency, accountability, and decision-making.
• Evaluate real-world cases and ethical responses to bias and opacity in AI systems.