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

Microsoft
Intro to Artificial Intelligence on Microsoft Azure
Skills you'll gain: Anomaly Detection, Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Microsoft Azure, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Negociação e Relações Interculturais
Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Conflict Management, Intercultural Competence, Cultural Responsiveness, Diplomacy, Relationship Building, Cultural Diversity, Cultural Sensitivity, Business Ethics, Interpersonal Communications, Diversity Awareness, Communication Strategies, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Communication, Strategic Partnership, Active Listening
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Professional Skills for Insurance Sales Success
Skills you'll gain: Insurance Sales, Verbal Communication Skills, Storytelling, Communication, Goal Setting, Interpersonal Communications, Business Communication, Prioritization, Sales Presentations, Selling Techniques, Relationship Management, Non-Verbal Communication, Active Listening, Sales, Rapport Building, Organizational Skills, Insurance, Customer Relationship Management, Business Ethics
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Marketing Analysts: Innovate Marketing Strategies
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Google Analytics, Campaign Management, Generative AI, Customer Analysis, Marketing Automation, Performance Analysis, Marketing Strategies, Marketing Effectiveness, Customer Insights, Data Ethics, Analytics, Business Ethics
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
O.P. Jindal Global University
Text Mining for Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Text Mining, Data Ethics, Data Mining, Customer Insights, Marketing Analytics, Unstructured Data, Marketing, Trend Analysis, Brand Management, Big Data, Market Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Natural Language Processing, Predictive Analytics, Information Privacy, Data Quality
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Kennesaw State University
Strategies for Planned Social Change with Jagdish Sheth
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Socioeconomics, Advocacy, Business Ethics, Environmental Issue, Consumer Behaviour, Social Media, Marketing, User Research
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Davis
Digital Strategies: Managing Sociotechnological Co-Evolution
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Technology Strategies, Digital Transformation, Social Sciences, Human Machine Interfaces, Artificial Intelligence, Socioeconomics, Innovation, Business Ethics, Change Management, Emerging Technologies, Policty Analysis, Research, and Development, Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The Open University
Understanding the need for a sustainable business
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Innovation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Stakeholder Engagement, Business Continuity, Business Ethics, Business Architecture, Business Strategies, Systems Thinking, Environment and Resource Management, Complex Problem Solving
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Data Scientists
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, Data Quality, Data Strategy, Data Science, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Applied Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Technical Design, Predictive Modeling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment for GenAI Projects
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, Information Privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, Information Assurance, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Compliance Management, Risk Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Analysis, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Board Infinity
Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Incident Response, Computer Security Incident Management, Network Security, Cyber Security Strategy, Cyber Security Policies, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Information Systems Security, Threat Management, Continuous Monitoring, Data Ethics, Security Controls, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Firewall, Endpoint Security, System Configuration, Malware Protection, Network Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks