Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI
From The Embassy of Good Science
ResourcesEducation
Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI
Related Initiative
What is this about?
The Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI is an online course developed by UNESCO in partnership with LG AI Research and offered through Coursera. It provides an intermediate-level introduction to the ethical, social, and governance challenges created by artificial intelligence. The course consists of 10 modules and can be completed in approximately one week, with around 10 hours of study. It covers important topics such as AI ethics foundations, human-AI interaction, safety and security, fairness and non-discrimination, privacy and data governance, transparency and accountability, environmental sustainability, proportionality and avoiding harm, human autonomy and meaningful work, and global AI governance. The course combines ethical principles with real-world case studies, practical frameworks, and tools that learners can apply to AI development and use. It is based partly on UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and aims to help learners understand ethical risks and make AI more responsible, human-centred, safe, fair, and beneficial to society.
Why is this important?
The course is important because AI is increasingly influencing decisions and activities in areas such as employment, healthcare, education, finance, government, and everyday life. Without ethical principles and responsible governance, AI can create problems such as discrimination, privacy violations, unsafe decisions, lack of transparency, and environmental harm. This course helps learners understand these risks and provides practical approaches for developing and using AI in a safer, fairer, and more accountable way. It is particularly valuable because it connects ethical theory with real-world examples and practical tools, helping people make better decisions throughout the AI lifecycle. By promoting human rights, fairness, transparency, sustainability, and human oversight, the course supports the development of AI that benefits people while reducing potential harm.
