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
Navigating Disruption: Generative AI in the Workplace
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Policy Development, Data Ethics, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Operational Risk, Labor Relations, Automation, Data Security, Personally Identifiable Information, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Workforce Management, Human Resources, Journalism, Artificial Intelligence, Organizational Development, Emerging Technologies, Digital Transformation, Education and Training, Natural Language Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Generative AI for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, Feature Engineering, Performance Tuning, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Application Deployment, Text Mining, Applied Machine Learning, Unstructured Data, Anomaly Detection, Data Synthesis, Data Security, Information Privacy
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Program Managers
Skills you'll gain: Program Management, Engineering Management, Generative AI, Agile Project Management, Technical Management, Project Planning, Risk Analysis, Program Implementation, Project Risk Management, Workflow Management, Predictive Modeling, Software Development, Systems Development Life Cycle, Business Ethics
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAS
Data Literacy Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Presentation, Data Analysis, Technical Communication, Trend Analysis, Data Ethics, Research, Analytical Skills, Investigation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Davis
Digital Trends: AI, Metaverse, Persuasive Tech & Blockchain
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Blockchain, Data Ethics, Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Digital Assets, Artificial Neural Networks, Social Media, Business Modeling, Web Development, Deep Learning, Social Sciences, Persuasive Communication, Human Computer Interaction, Consumer Behaviour, Information Technology, Machine Learning, Business Ethics, Algorithms
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Las organizaciones en el siglo XXI y su relevancia social
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Conflict Management, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Structure, Social Sciences, Human Relations Movement, Psychology, Innovation, Culture
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Yunus Social Business Fund Bengaluru
Value and Business Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Cash Flows, Financial Analysis, Decision Making, Risk Analysis, Business Valuation, Strategic Decision-Making, Cost Benefit Analysis, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Capital Budgeting, Stakeholder Management, Finance, Business Ethics, Return On Investment, Business Modeling, Corporate Finance, Value Propositions, Social Sciences
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Decoding AI: A Deep Dive into AI Models and Predictions
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Big Data, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, ChatGPT
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Resilience & Leadership: Concepts, Definitions, & Frameworks
Skills you'll gain: Crisis Management, Threat Management, Threat Detection, Infrastructure Security, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response, Business Ethics, Systems Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Safety and Security, Risk Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Decision Making, Leadership
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Gobierno corporativo: antecedentes
Skills you'll gain: Governance, Corporate Accounting, Accountability, Corporate Strategy, Business Management, Business Ethics, Organizational Structure, Corporate Communications, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Leadership and Management
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Foundations of Sustainability and ESG
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability Reporting, Business Metrics, Business Ethics, Stakeholder Communications, Performance Measurement, Corporate Strategy, Governance, Environment and Resource Management, Business Priorities, Investments, Diversity and Inclusion
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Generative AI in Legal
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Generative AI, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Artificial Intelligence, Document Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Business Process Automation, Automation, Predictive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Information Privacy, Natural Language Processing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months