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In an era where artificial intelligence is shaping everything from healthcare to how we communicate, understanding the ethical implications has never been more critical.

As AI continues to evolve, professionals across industries recognize the importance of ethical frameworks that ensure responsible development and deployment. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a developer, or a decision-maker, upskilling in AI ethics can empower you to make informed choices and stay ahead of industry shifts.

In this article, we've curated the best AI ethics courses to help you navigate the complex landscape of AI with confidence and responsibility.

Best AI Ethics Course Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the best AI ethics courses I think are worth your time in 2024:

  1. Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (Politecnico di Milano)
  2. Ethics of AI (LSE Online)
  3. Ethics in the Age of Generative AI (LinkedIn Learning)
  4. AI Ethics for Beginners (Great Learning)
  5. Artificial Intelligence Ethics (University of Oxford)
  6. Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics (The University of Edinburgh)
  7. Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges (Lund University)
  8. AI, Empathy & Ethics (University of California, Santa Cruz)
  9. Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CISI)
  10. AI Ethics (DataCamp)
  11. Impact, Ethics, and Issues with Generative AI (IBM)
  12. Ethics of AI: Safeguarding Humanity (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
  13. Ethics in AI Design (Delft University of Technology)
  14. Online Certification Course in Ethical AI (Emory University)
  15. AI, Ethics and Society (University of London)
  16. Ethical Issues in AI and Professional Ethics (University of Colorado Boulder)
  17. AI Safety, Policy, and Ethics (UCLA)
  18. ChatGPT / AI Ethics: Ethical Intelligence for 2024 (Udemy)

Find more details about each course below.

Best AI Ethics Course Overviews

1. Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (Politecnico di Milano)

Ethics of Artificial Intelligence course landing page
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Course (Source)

This course dives into the ethical issues surrounding AI technologies, including the challenges posed by AI development and usage. It provides learners with a structured understanding of ethical frameworks that can guide AI implementation.

  • Who It’s For: professionals working in AI development and ethics
  • Topics Covered:
    • Ethical challenges in AI
    • Decision-making and accountability
    • Privacy concerns in AI
    • AI and human rights
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 10 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free for trial, fees apply for certification
  • Take The Course: Coursera

2. Ethics of AI (LSE Online)

Ethics of AI course landing page
Ethics of AI Course (Source)

This course explores the ethical challenges AI poses and examines the philosophical foundations of AI ethics. It uses real-world cases to analyze how AI impacts decision-making in various sectors.

  • Who It’s For: policymakers and tech professionals
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI ethical frameworks
    • Case studies in AI ethics
    • Regulation and governance of AI
    • AI in public policy
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: 6-8 hours per week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $652
  • Take The Course: LSE Online

3. Ethics in the Age of Generative AI (LinkedIn Learning)

Ethics in the Age of Generative AI course landing page
Ethics in the Age of Generative AI Course (Source)

This course focuses on the ethical implications of generative AI technologies, such as GPT, and their impact on creativity, decision-making, machine learning algorithms, and data science across various industries.

  • Who It’s For: AI practitioners and business leaders
  • Topics Covered:
    • Generative AI technologies
    • Ethical dilemmas in AI
    • Responsibility in AI development
    • AI policy frameworks
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced 
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free
  • Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
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4. AI Ethics for Beginners (Great Learning)

AI Ethics for Beginners course landing page
AI Ethics for Beginners Course (Source)

This beginner-level course introduces learners to fundamental concepts of AI ethics, focusing on the basic ethical challenges AI technologies present. It offers a foundational understanding of how AI, big data, and computer science impact society, with no prerequisites required.

  • Who It’s For: Beginners who want an introduction to AI ethics
  • Topics Covered:
    • Introduction to AI ethics
    • Ethical principles in AI
    • Challenges in AI implementation
    • Fairness and accountability in AI
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 2.25 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free
  • Take The Course: Great Learning

5. Artificial Intelligence Ethics (University of Oxford)

Artificial Intelligence Ethics course landing page
Artificial Intelligence Ethics Course (Source)

This course examines the ethical issues AI presents, particularly in governance, decision-making, data governance, and its societal impact. It provides in-depth discussions on the responsibilities of AI developers and users in shaping technology responsibly, with comprehensive course materials to support learning.

  • Who It’s For: Individuals interested in AI ethics and societal decision-making
  • Topics Covered:
    • Governance of AI
    • Ethical frameworks for AI development
    • Societal impact of AI
    • Responsible AI decision-making
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 5 weeks
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: 2-4 hours per week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Pre-2023 enrolled students on MSt Practical Ethic: £2100
    • Short course fee (2025-26): £2700
    • Students enrolled on MSt in Practical Ethics (25-26): £2195
  • Take The Course: University of Oxford

6. Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics (The University of Edinburgh)

Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics course landing page
Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics Course (Source)

This course offers an academic perspective on the intersection of data, AI, and ethics. It focuses on the ethical principles necessary for handling AI and data-driven technologies in real-world applications.

  • Who It’s For: Postgraduate students or professionals in AI and data ethics
  • Topics Covered:
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Eligibility Requirements: Undergraduate degree
  • Take The Course: The University of Edinburgh

7. Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges (Lund University)

Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges course landing page
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges Course (Source)

This course covers the ethical and societal challenges posed by AI technologies. It emphasizes the responsibilities of AI developers and the potential social consequences of AI deployment in various fields.

  • Who It’s For: Learners interested in AI’s societal impacts and ethical challenges
  • Topics Covered:
    • Ethical dilemmas in AI
    • Social impact of AI
    • AI regulations and governance
    • Responsible AI design
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 13 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free; with a paid option for a certificate
  • Take The Course: Coursera

8. AI, Empathy & Ethics (University of California, Santa Cruz)

AI, Empathy & Ethics course landing page
AI, Empathy & Ethics Course (Source)

This course explores the relationship between AI, empathy, and ethics, discussing how AI technologies can impact human interactions and decision-making processes. It delves into ethical considerations when designing empathetic AI systems.

  • Who It’s For: individuals interested in ethical AI design and human-centered AI
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI and human empathy
    • Ethical challenges in AI design
    • AI decision-making processes
    • Empathetic AI systems
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free; with a paid option for a certificate
  • Take The Course: Coursera

9. Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CISI)

Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence course landing page
Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence Course (Source)

This certification program from CISI focuses on the ethical challenges presented by artificial intelligence and its applications. It covers AI ethics from a regulatory and compliance perspective, preparing professionals for roles that require understanding ethical AI deployment.

  • Who It’s For: Professionals in finance and tech sectors needing an AI ethics qualification
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI governance and regulation
    • Ethical risks in AI
    • Compliance with AI standards
    • AI in financial services
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 12 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Member: £60
    • Non-Member: £150
  • Take The Course: CISI

10. AI Ethics (DataCamp)

AI Ethics course landing page
AI Ethics Course (Source)

This DataCamp course introduces the basic principles of AI ethics, offering a foundational understanding of ethical concerns related to the development and use of AI technologies. The course focuses on practical case studies and real-world applications of AI ethics.

  • Who It’s For: Data professionals and AI practitioners seeking to understand AI ethics
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI and ethical risks
    • Bias in AI
    • AI transparency and accountability
    • Case studies in AI ethics
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1 hour
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free
  • Take The Course: DataCamp

11. Impact, Ethics, and Issues with Generative AI (IBM)

Impact, Ethics, and Issues with Generative AI course landing page
Impact, Ethics, and Issues with Generative AI Course (Source)

This course delves into the ethical concerns of generative AI technologies and the impact they have on society. It covers real-world examples and discusses how to ensure ethical usage of generative AI systems across industries.

  • Who It’s For: Professionals working with or interested in generative AI
  • Topics Covered:
    • Generative AI and its societal impact
    • Ethical concerns in AI development
    • Bias and misinformation in AI
    • AI regulations
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1–3 hours per week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • With certificate: $49
    • Without certificate: Free
  • Take The Course: edX

12. Ethics of AI: Safeguarding Humanity (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Ethics of AI: Safeguarding Humanity course landing page
Ethics of AI: Safeguarding Humanity Course (Source)

This course examines how AI systems can be designed to align with human values and ethical principles. It explores the role of ethics in AI development and how AI can be leveraged to benefit humanity while mitigating risks.

  • Who It’s For: Engineers, developers, and policymakers interested in ethical AI
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI and human rights
    • Ethical design of AI systems
    • AI governance
    • Responsible AI development
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 3 days
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $3,200
  • Take The Course: MIT

13. Ethics in AI Design (Delft University of Technology)

Ethics in AI Design course landing page
Ethics in AI Design Course (Source)

This course provides an in-depth look at ethical considerations in AI design, focusing on how to integrate ethical principles into the development of AI technologies. It explores practical ways to ensure AI systems align with societal values and norms.

  • Who It’s For: AI designers and developers interested in ethical AI design
  • Topics Covered:
    • Ethics in AI system design
    • Human-centered AI
    • Bias and fairness in AI
    • AI accountability
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 7 weeks
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: 2–4 hours per week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • With certificate: $149
    • Without certificate: Free
  • Take The Course: edX

14. Online Certification Course in Ethical AI (Emory University)

Online Certification Course in Ethical AI landing page
Online Certification Course in Ethical AI (Source)

This certification course introduces learners to the ethical concerns surrounding AI, focusing on the integration of ethical practices in AI deployment. It emphasizes the role of ethics in various industries and its importance in shaping responsible AI use.

  • Who It’s For: Professionals and students interested in certification in AI ethics
  • Topics Covered:
    • Ethical AI in business
    • AI fairness and transparency
    • AI regulation
    • Corporate social responsibility in AI
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • How Many Hours of Instruction: 6-8 hours per week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $1,450
  • Take The Course: Emory University

15. AI, Ethics and Society (University of London)

AI, Ethics and Society course landing page
AI, Ethics and Society Course (Source)

This postgraduate course investigates the intersection of AI and societal ethics, examining how AI technologies impact communities and individuals. It focuses on developing frameworks that ensure AI aligns with ethical standards across diverse applications.

  • Who It’s For: Postgraduate students interested in the societal impact of AI
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI and human rights
    • AI ethics in society
    • Legal and policy frameworks for AI
    • Ethical AI design
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Eligibility Requirements: Bachelor's degree
  • Price:
    • Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
    • Full-time home students: £11,070 per year
    • Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    • Full-time international students: £20,340 per year
  • Take The Course: University of London

16. Ethical Issues in AI and Professional Ethics (University of Colorado Boulder)

Ethical Issues in AI and Professional Ethics course landing page
Ethical Issues in AI and Professional Ethics Course (Source)

This course provides a focused examination of ethical issues that arise in professional contexts when working with AI technologies. It explores how AI is transforming various industries and addresses the ethical challenges professionals face in AI deployment.

  • Who It’s For: Professionals looking to explore the ethical challenges in AI applications
  • Topics Covered:
    • Ethical concerns in AI
    • AI in professional settings
    • Responsible AI use
    • Ethical frameworks
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 37 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: Free; with paid option for a certificate
  • Take The Course: Coursera

17. AI Safety, Policy, and Ethics (UCLA)

AI Safety, Policy, and Ethics course landing page
AI Safety, Policy, and Ethics Course (Source)

This course covers the ethical considerations, safety concerns, and policy implications of AI technology. It focuses on ensuring that AI systems are developed in a way that prioritizes safety and ethical governance, with insights from real-world case studies.

  • Who It’s For: AI professionals interested in safety and policy implications
  • Topics Covered:
    • AI safety protocols
    • AI governance
    • Ethical AI use
    • AI policy frameworks
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 11 weeks
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $1,050
  • Take The Course: UCLA Extension

18. ChatGPT / AI Ethics: Ethical Intelligence for 2024 (Udemy)

ChatGPT / AI Ethics: Ethical Intelligence for 2024 course landing page
ChatGPT / AI Ethics: Ethical Intelligence for 2024 Course (Source)

This course covers the ethical implications of AI tools like ChatGPT, focusing on how to apply ethical intelligence when using generative AI. It provides actionable insights on responsible AI use and navigating ethical challenges in AI development.

  • Who It’s For: Individuals interested in ethical AI and ChatGPT
  • Topics Covered:
  • Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
  • Exam Required? No
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $14.99 (discounted price)
  • Take The Course: Udemy

What’s Next?

The rapid advancement of AI demands more than technical expertise—it calls for a deep understanding of the ethical considerations that come with innovation.

By exploring these top AI ethics courses, you'll be better equipped to make responsible decisions, build trust in AI systems, and contribute to a future where technology serves humanity ethically and effectively. Upskilling in AI ethics isn't just about compliance—it's about shaping a future where technology benefits everyone.

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Katie Sanders

As a data-driven content strategist, editor, writer, and community steward, Katie helps technical leaders win at work. Her 14 years of experience in the tech space makes her well-rounded to provide technical audiences with expert insights and practical advice through Q&As, Thought Leadership, Ebooks, etc.