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 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
Status: Free
ESSEC Business School
Belles histoires d'entreprises à impact
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Waste Minimization, Business Ethics, Environment and Resource Management, Business Transformation, Sustainability Reporting, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Strategy, Product Lifecycle Management, Investments, Economic Development, Market Opportunities, Community Development, Business Modeling, Innovation, New Business Development, Stakeholder Engagement
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Generative AI and ESG
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Generative AI, Data Ethics, Corporate Sustainability, Regulation and Legal Compliance, OpenAI, Sustainability Reporting, ChatGPT, Environmental Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Compliance Reporting, Product Development, Stakeholder Engagement
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
ESSEC Business School
Grande Distribution et RSE : Comprendre et Agir
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Environmental Issue, Business Ethics, Sustainability Reporting, Public Policies, Environment and Resource Management, Consumer Behaviour, Regulatory Compliance, Waste Minimization, Packaging and Labeling, Corporate Strategy
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Edureka
Generative AI Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Data Ethics, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Python Programming, Machine Learning
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Responsible AI for Developers
Skills you'll gain: Information Privacy, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Google Cloud Platform, Personally Identifiable Information, Applied Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Security, Cloud Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Software Visualization, Safety and Security, Machine Learning, Data Storytelling, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Encryption, Open Source Technology, Data Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Starweaver
Procurement for Governments
Skills you'll gain: Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Management, Corporate Sustainability, Supply Management, Public Administration, Governance, Digital Transformation, Risk Management, Business Ethics, Compliance Management, Contract Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement, Due Diligence
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Leveraging Generative AI for Social Impact Organizations
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Workflow Management, Service Improvement, Resource Utilization, Business Process Automation, Instructing, Press Releases, Copywriting, Presentations, Continuous Improvement Process, Artificial Intelligence, Content Creation, Business Ethics, Web Content, Content Management, Data Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado System
Exploring the Origins of Selfhood
Skills you'll gain: Culture, Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Competence, Diversity Awareness, Social Studies, Liberal Arts, Human Development, Psychology, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Social Sciences, Sociology
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Generative AI Teach-Out
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Emerging Technologies, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Glasgow
Generative AI for Healthcare Students and Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Predictive Modeling, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, General Science and Research, Health Care, Health Systems, Medical Science and Research, General Medicine, Image Analysis, Patient Treatment, Clinical Experience, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Electronic Medical Record, Radiology, Emerging Technologies, Virtual Reality
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Leeds
How to Get Into AI
Skills you'll gain: Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Automation, Computer Science, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Machine Learning
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks