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

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence

Skills you'll gain: Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Advanced Analytics, Business Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Robotic Process Automation, Predictive Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies, Cloud Computing, Internet Of Things, Cybersecurity

Google Cloud

MLOps with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - Español

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Continuous Monitoring, Google Cloud Platform, Predictive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning, Data Ethics, Data Quality

Google Cloud

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - 简体中文

Skills you'll gain: Google Workspace, Generative AI, Productivity Software, Data Ethics, Gmail, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Google Docs, Business Ethics, Google Sheets

Google Cloud

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with GC - Indonesia

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Governance, Compliance Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Problem Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration

Google Cloud

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - Português

Skills you'll gain: Productivity Software, Google Workspace, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Google Docs, Gmail, Ethical Standards And Conduct

Google Cloud

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud - Deutsch

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Governance, Business Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Compliance Training, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Google Cloud Platform, Scenario Testing, Decision Making

Google Cloud

Geliştiriciler İçin Sorumlu Yapay Zeka

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Security, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Information Privacy, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence, Data Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Social Justice, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Open Source Technology, Safety and Security, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning, Software Documentation, Mitigation, Analysis, Data Analysis

Google Cloud

Responsible AI for Developers: Fairness & Bias - Español

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source Technology, Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Data Quality, Data Analysis

Google Cloud

Geliştiriciler İçin Sorumlu Yapay Zeka: Adalet ve Önyargı

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence, Social Justice, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Ethical Standards And Conduct, Machine Learning, Mitigation, Analysis, Data Analysis

Google Cloud

Responsible AI: Privacy & Safety - Português

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Information Privacy, Data Ethics, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Security, Personally Identifiable Information, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Security, Safety and Security, Machine Learning Methods

Google Cloud

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with GC - 日本語版

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Business Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Governance, Compliance Management, Google Cloud Platform, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Decision Making

Google Cloud

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - 日本語版

Skills you'll gain: Productivity Software, Google Workspace, Generative AI, Operational Efficiency, Data Ethics, Google Docs, Gmail, Google Sheets

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Explore the Ethics Course Catalog

Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence

MLOps with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - Español

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - 简体中文

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with GC - Indonesia

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - Português

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud - Deutsch

Geliştiriciler İçin Sorumlu Yapay Zeka

Responsible AI for Developers: Fairness & Bias - Español

Geliştiriciler İçin Sorumlu Yapay Zeka: Adalet ve Önyargı

Responsible AI: Privacy & Safety - Português

Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with GC - 日本語版

Introduction to Gemini for Google Workspace - 日本語版

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular ethics courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Ethics

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

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

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

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

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

What are common career paths for someone in ethics?‎

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

What are the benefits of taking an online Ethics course?‎

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

Other topics to explore