What are ethics, and why are they important to learn about?

Ethics is the system of principles that determine whether the behavior of a person or organization is right or wrong from the perspective of morality and society. An understanding of ethics is important in our personal lives as well as in business and public life, where ethical leadership can inspire and motivate your team - and unethical actions can permanently tarnish the way you or your company is perceived, or even have legal repercussions. While fundamental principles of ethics have been a subject of moral philosophy since the days of Aristotle, the modern era has led to countless questions about the ethical use of new technologies. For instance, the convergence of the internet, social media, and data science has made privacy and the proper use of individuals’ data an important subject for business ethics. Similarly, many technologists have expressed concern that unethical forms of artificial intelligence (AI) could have harmful consequences for society.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in ethics?

Strong principles of business ethics and an understanding of the power of ethical leadership can be an asset for any career in management. Many people want to work for companies that are helping to make positive change in the world - and very few want to work for or with an actively unethical organization. Being able to give voice to values and establishing yourself as an ethical leader can help attract and retain top talent as well as align and motivate your team to success. As our society becomes more and more dependent on the internet and artificial intelligence (AI), the ethics of the development, deployment, and use of these emerging technologies is becoming a critical subject of discussion in universities and tech companies around the world. Data scientists and AI engineers are thus increasingly expected to have a background in the potential ethical issues surrounding their work. According to Glassdoor , AI Engineers earn an average annual salary of $114,121.

Can I learn about ethics by taking online courses on Coursera?

Yes. Whether you want to learn about ethics from a personal or philosophical interest or to inform your career, Coursera offers a range of courses to fit your needs. You can learn remotely from top-ranked institutions from around the world, including Yale University, University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, the University of Lausanne, and the University of Amsterdam, all for a significantly lower tuition than on-campus students. You can even get a professional certificate in the ethics of technology through Coursera and CertNexus, giving you a valuable credential for careers in tech.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn ethics?

Good reading skills are typically the main skill you need to have before starting to study ethics. This is because the concepts can be complex and cases studies can contain a number of details to consider. Compassion for others can be useful because it might help you to consider how others would feel in a given situation. Critical thinking skills can also typically help you when learning about ethics. A background in philosophy can support the ethics topics you may choose to study. Business courses may also provide some background that you can quickly apply to topics you study in the field of ethics.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in ethics?

People who care more about doing what’s right than they care about making popular decisions are typically best suited for roles in ethics. These are often people who show respect for others even if they don’t agree with them, and people who treat others fairly without showing any type of bias. People who are honest and who lead by example are also often well suited to ethics roles. These may be people who enjoy exploring historical events or who study business areas like international trade, in which companies can make unethical blunders based on lack of knowledge about local customs or environmental issues.

What are common career paths for someone in ethics?

Some common career paths for someone in ethics include the health field and the legal field. These fields typically require people who have a high level of ethics due to the complexity of cases and the amount of privacy regulations involved. Education and research are two fields that can provide career paths for someone who studies ethics. Compliance specialists and ethics managers are two more paths that typically fall under the ethics topic. Ethics analysts and social services case workers also generally require a solid understanding of ethics.

What types of places hire people with a background in ethics?

Public service agencies and charitable organizations typically hire people who understand and practice ethics. Additionally, companies that engage in international trade and that need business management professionals can sometimes specifically seek out corporate social responsibility professionals to support ethical business practices. Tech companies like AI developers can hire ethics professionals. Additionally, marketing firms and accounting firms can seek out employees who have ethics training.

What are the benefits of taking an online Ethics course?

Online Ethics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Ethics skills. Choose from a wide range of Ethics courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Ethics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Ethics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Ethics Courses - Learn Ethics Online

Explore the Ethics Course Catalog

University of Michigan
Generative AI: Impact on Business and Society
Skills you'll gain: Consumer Behaviour, Business Risk Management, Business Operations, Risk Analysis, Generative AI, Socioeconomics, Decision Support Systems, Business Ethics, Global Marketing, Social Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Issue, Public Safety and National Security
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Emory University
What Can AI Do for Marketing?
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Marketing Strategies, Marketing, Marketing Effectiveness, MarTech, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Insights, Personalized Service, Customer Analysis, Customer Engagement, Machine Learning, Automation, Algorithms
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
ESG for All
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Strategic Prioritization, Corporate Sustainability, Prioritization, Business Ethics, Business Priorities, Governance, Accountability, Sustainability Reporting, Advocacy, Discussion Facilitation, Diversity and Inclusion, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Strategic Thinking, Compliance Management, Systems Thinking, Regulatory Compliance, Business Solutions, Business Leadership, Environmental Issue
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
O.P. Jindal Global University
Machine Learning for Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Anomaly Detection, Digital Marketing, Web Analytics, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning, Customer Analysis, Search Engine Marketing, Supervised Learning, Customer Retention, Text Mining, Predictive Analytics, Google Analytics, Search Engine Optimization, Web Analytics and SEO, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Marketing Channel, Data Ethics, Data Mining, Customer Insights
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Organizaciones y recursos humanos en el siglo XXI
Skills you'll gain: Performance Appraisal, Talent Recruitment, Talent Acquisition, Workforce Development, Recruitment, Recruitment Strategies, Negotiation, Performance Management, Resilience, Employee Onboarding, Human Resources Management and Planning, Employee Training, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, Employee Performance Management, Leadership and Management, Business Ethics, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Leadership, Conflict Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Michigan
Understanding Data: Navigating Statistics, Science, and AI
Skills you'll gain: Histogram, Generative AI, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Scientific Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Data Storytelling, Statistics, Data Analysis, Data Ethics, Experimentation, Science and Research, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Research Design, Analytical Skills, Research, Exploratory Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Kennesaw State University
AI for Education (Basic)
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, Technical Communication, Instructional and Curriculum Design, Natural Language Processing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Fractal Analytics
Successful AI Strategies: A CEO's Perspective
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Generative AI, Business Strategy, Data Strategy, Business Transformation, Strategic Decision-Making, Organizational Strategy, Technology Strategies, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resource Strategy, Human Centered Design, Data Quality, Workforce Development, Design Thinking, Governance, Goal Setting, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Davis
Digital Technology and Social Change
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Innovation, Digital Communications, Data Ethics, Machine Learning, Business Transformation, Blockchain, Process Design, Emerging Technologies, Technology Strategies, OpenAI, Data Storage, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Social Studies, Media and Communications, Digital Assets, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Social Sciences, Human Machine Interfaces
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pittsburgh
Law You Can Use
Skills you'll gain: Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Compliance Management, Regulatory Requirements, Analysis, Human Resources, Business Ethics, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Governance, Disabilities, International Finance, Cybersecurity, Diversity and Inclusion, Negotiation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sustainability Reporting: From Regulation to Implementation
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Business Reporting, Data Storytelling, Compliance Reporting, Data Visualization, Financial Reporting, Environmental Management Systems, Stakeholder Communications, Corporate Communications, Business Ethics, Regulatory Requirements, Stakeholder Engagement, Benchmarking, Risk Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
User Awareness and Education for Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Business Ethics, ChatGPT, End User Training and Support, Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), User Feedback, Creativity, Decision Support Systems, Emerging Technologies, Information Privacy, Content Creation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks