Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
AI Ethics, Inclusion & Society
This course demystified AI technologies by exploring historical context and the real meaning of the term “algorithm”. Prevailing philosophical theory was then used to frame what we know about AI within ethical considerations. Questions of human experience, narrative building, role of media, and inclusive governance were explored. This ethical framework was then applied to global real-world challenges, including AI in healthcare, education and the environment.
3 weeks, 5 hours per week
Ciorsdaidh Watts
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
The University of Glasgow
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- Build an ethical technologies toolkit to assess the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
- Develop and strengthen critical thinking through structured engagement with key concerns around AI.
- Understand and identify the challenges AI presents in the areas of inclusion and diversity, addressing specifically how biases are introduced (data) and perpetuated (implemented).
- Explore the meaning of a "digital divide" and how AI may amplify this.
- Apply ethical theory to varied, real-world contexts within society.
Syllabus
- Introduction to AI: Demystify AI by exploring historical context, Large Language Models (LLMs) and the role of data in AI, all through the prism of ethics, bias, and inclusion.
- Introduction to Ethics: Explore prevailing ethical theories and assess how these can be applied to AI, to identify and reduce potential harm.
- AI & Student Experience: Consider what ethical literacy really means. Identify how AI bias may be reflected in education and how we can move towards more inclusive AI for learning.
- AI & Existential: Explore how media narratives impact the way we think and feel about AI. Shape a more nuanced pattern of thinking, using what you have learned about AI technologies and ethics.
- AI & Governance: Explore whether AI governance is really possible, and how it looks right now. Consider rights and responsibilities and who gets to decide.
- AI & Environment: Explore the impact of AI technologies on our environment, comparing negative and potential positive effects. Contextualise initiatives aimed at raising awareness and challenging environmental behaviours around AI.
- AI & Healthcare: Deep-dive into healthcare data - considering ethics, inclusivity and safeguards, from a global perspective to a local level.
Issued on 16th November 2025
The person named on this certificate has completed the activities in the transcript above. For more information about Certificates of Achievement and the effort required to become eligible, visit futurelearn.com/proof-of-learning/certificate-of-achievement.
This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.