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

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Practical Steps for Building Fair AI Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Diversity Awareness, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Software Documentation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Foundations of Project Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Project Management, Agile Project Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Project Risk Management, Team Performance Management, Project Planning, Scope Management, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Strategic Planning, Performance Management, Communication
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
O.P. Jindal Global University
Indian Economy in a Digital World
Skills you'll gain: Market Dynamics, Digital Transformation, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Market Analysis, E-Commerce, Economic Development, Socioeconomics, Economics, Emerging Technologies, Business Technologies, Technology Strategies, Policty Analysis, Research, and Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Sustainability for Business
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Performance Measurement, Strategic Partnership, Systems Thinking, Corporate Strategy, Supply Management, Procurement, Business Operations, Business Leadership, Business Strategy, Business Ethics, Compliance Management, Goal Setting, Operational Risk, Human Capital, Environment and Resource Management, Business Risk Management
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Davis
AI for Knowledge Workers
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Brainstorming, Machine Learning, Automation, Deep Learning, Workforce Development, Content Creation, Emerging Technologies, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Business Ethics, Information Privacy, Verification And Validation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Minnesota
Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Systems
Skills you'll gain: Health Systems, Data Analysis, Health Care, Data Ethics, Correlation Analysis, Patient Education and Support, Heat Maps, Epidemiology, Community Mental Health Services, Statistical Analysis, Psychiatry, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Trauma Care, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Health Assessment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Public Policies, Social and Human Services, Social Sciences
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Customer Service Representatives
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Personalized Service, Customer Service, ChatGPT, Customer Engagement, Customer Insights, Customer Communications Management, Service Improvement, Business Ethics, Natural Language Processing, Operational Efficiency, Machine Learning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of California, Irvine
데이터 스토리텔링
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization, Tableau Software, Exploratory Data Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Data Ethics, Advanced Analytics, Data Integrity
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
실용 머신 러닝 소개
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Business Priorities, Training Records Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Data Collection, Business Process, Data Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Edureka
Generative AI's Applications in Marketing Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Generative AI, Marketing Analytics, Marketing Effectiveness, Feature Engineering, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Personally Identifiable Information, Predictive Analytics, Customer Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Emerging Technologies, Personalized Service, Data Cleansing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
Foundations of Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Critical Thinking, Strategic Leadership, Leadership Development, Team Performance Management, Team Leadership, Team Motivation, Leadership, Professional Development, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Responsible AI for Developers: Privacy & Safety
Skills you'll gain: Information Privacy, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Google Cloud Platform, Personally Identifiable Information, Data Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cloud Security, Safety and Security, Artificial Intelligence, Encryption, Machine Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months