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Tania De Gasperis, Megan Smith Branch, Aaron Hui, Eleanor 'Nell' Watson, and Renée Cummings

The greatest risk in emerging technology is the perpetuation of bias in automated technologies dependent upon data sets. Solutions created with racial, gender or demographic bias, whether unintentional or not can perpetuate tragic inequities socially and economically. This is the first of five courses within the Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist (CEET) professional certificate and it is designed for learners seeking to advocate and promote the ethical use of data-driven technologies. Students will learn what emerging technologies are and how they can be used to create data driven solutions. You will learn types of bias and common ethical theories and how they can be applied to emerging technology, and examine legal and ethical privacy concepts as they relate to technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science fields. Throughout the course learners begin to distinguish which types of bias may cause the greatest risk and which principles to apply to strategically respond to ethical considerations.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Identify Data-Driven Emerging Technologies
The first module in this course will cover some of the major technologies that are currently emerging in the world today, particularly data-driven technologies. The module will also go over some of the concepts that are fundamental to understanding how these technologies are used, without going into too much technical detail.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides the foundation for ethical use of data-driven technologies, supporting professional practice and development
Led by Eleanor 'Nell' Watson, Aaron Hui, Megan Smith Branch, Tania De Gasperis, and Renée Cummings, who are recognized for their work in emerging technologies and ethics
Introduces fundamental concepts of emerging technologies and their ethical implications
Covers key types of bias and ethical theories applicable to data-driven technologies
Provides practical hands-on projects to apply the knowledge gained throughout the course
Designed for learners seeking to champion ethical data-driven technologies

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Reviews summary

Ethical data use in emerging tech

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the ethical considerations surrounding data-driven technologies. Many found the content highly relevant and timely, offering a crucial understanding of topics like bias in AI and legal and ethical privacy concepts. While it serves as an excellent foundation, some students, particularly those with prior experience, noted that the course can be too high-level and may lack in-depth technical detail or extensive hands-on application, functioning more as a broad overview than a deep dive. Overall, it's considered a valuable first step for anyone entering the Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist program or seeking a fundamental grasp of data ethics.
Offers opportunities to apply learned concepts in realistic scenarios.
"The practical application module truly helped solidify my understanding of how to use these ethical principles."
"I appreciated the projects where I could apply the knowledge to real-world ethical dilemmas in data."
"The course moved from theory to practical scenarios, which made the learning more concrete and actionable."
Provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to complex ethical concepts.
"As someone new to data ethics, I found this course to be an excellent starting point. It breaks down complex ideas very clearly."
"The course gave me a solid understanding of different types of bias and ethical theories without getting bogged down in jargon."
"It's a great overview for establishing a strong ethical baseline when working with emerging data technologies."
Addresses critical and current ethical challenges in technology.
"This course was incredibly timely and relevant given the ongoing discussions about AI ethics and data privacy. It truly helps you understand the major issues."
"I appreciate how current the subject matter is; understanding bias in AI is paramount right now for any tech professional."
"The ethical considerations covered are directly applicable to today's data-driven world, making this course highly valuable."
May be too superficial for those with prior experience or seeking technical detail.
"While the topic is crucial, I felt it stayed at a very high level. As an experienced professional, I was hoping for more technical depth."
"If you're already familiar with some of these concepts, you might find parts of this course to be a bit of a review rather than new learning."
"I wished for more specific, hands-on examples of applying ethical frameworks, rather than just conceptual discussions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Promote the Ethical Use of Data-Driven Technologies with these activities:
Review fundamental ethical theories
Refresh your understanding of basic ethical theories to lay the foundation for the course.
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  • Review key concepts like utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics.
  • Read relevant articles or book chapters on the topic.
Identify and analyze biases in real-world examples
Develop your ability to recognize and assess different types of biases commonly encountered.
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  • Examine news articles, social media posts, and advertisements for evidence of bias.
  • Discuss your findings in online forums or with peers.
Engage in discussions on ethical responsibilities in the tech industry
Foster critical thinking and exchange diverse perspectives on ethical practices within the tech sector.
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  • Join online forums or study groups dedicated to tech ethics.
  • Share your views and engage in respectful debates.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore case studies of ethical dilemmas in emerging technology
Deepen your understanding of the ethical implications of emerging technologies by analyzing real-life scenarios.
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  • Read case studies and articles on ethical issues in AI, machine learning, and data science.
  • Participate in online discussions or webinars to discuss your insights.
Develop a presentation on the ethical implications of a specific emerging technology
Synthesize your knowledge and present your understanding of the ethical considerations surrounding a particular emerging technology.
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  • Research and gather information on the ethical implications of the chosen technology.
  • Create a visually engaging and informative presentation.
  • Deliver the presentation to peers or an online audience.
Participate in organizations promoting ethical use of technology
Gain practical experience and contribute to the community by volunteering with organizations dedicated to promoting ethical technology practices.
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  • Research and identify organizations working in the field of tech ethics.
  • Contact them to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in events, workshops, or advocacy campaigns.
Contribute to open-source projects related to ethical technology
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the development of ethical frameworks and tools for emerging technologies.
Show steps
  • Search for open-source projects focused on ethical technology.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute your skills.
  • Collaborate with project maintainers and contribute code or documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Promote the Ethical Use of Data-Driven Technologies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer is responsible for building and maintaining data pipelines. They work with other stakeholders to design and implement data ingestion, transformation, and storage processes. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Data Engineers as it provides a comprehensive overview of data-driven technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Data Architect
A Data Architect is responsible for designing and managing an organization's data architecture. They work with other stakeholders to develop data models, data integration strategies, and data governance policies. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Data Architects as it provides a comprehensive overview of data-driven technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Privacy Analyst
A Privacy Analyst is responsible for ensuring that an organization's data is collected, used, and disclosed in a manner that complies with privacy laws and regulations. They work with other stakeholders to develop and implement privacy policies and procedures, and they train employees on privacy best practices. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Privacy Analysts as it provides a comprehensive overview of legal and ethical privacy concepts as they relate to data-driven technologies.
Data Protection Officer
A Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with data protection laws and regulations. They work with other stakeholders to develop and implement data protection policies and procedures, and they train employees on data protection best practices. This course is highly relevant for aspiring DPOs as it provides a comprehensive overview of legal and ethical privacy concepts as they relate to data-driven technologies.
Ethical Hacker
An Ethical Hacker is a security professional who is hired to hack into an organization's systems to identify and fix vulnerabilities. They use their knowledge of hacking techniques to find weaknesses in systems and networks, and they work with other stakeholders to develop and implement security patches. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Ethical Hackers as it provides a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to extract meaningful insights. They use their knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and data mining to build predictive models and identify trends that can help businesses make better decisions. This course helps build a foundation for aspiring Data Scientists by providing a solid understanding of data-driven technologies and the ethical implications of their use.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
An Artificial Intelligence Engineer designs, develops, and implements Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions. They use their knowledge of AI principles and techniques to build AI systems that can perform tasks such as natural language processing, image recognition, and machine learning. This course may be useful for aspiring Artificial Intelligence Engineers as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer designs, develops, and deploys machine learning models. They use their knowledge of machine learning algorithms and techniques to build models that can learn from data and make predictions. This course may be useful for aspiring Machine Learning Engineers as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies such as machine learning and AI, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst is responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. They work with other stakeholders to gather requirements, develop system specifications, and implement new systems. This course may be useful for aspiring Systems Analysts as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Security Analyst
A Security Analyst is responsible for monitoring and analyzing security events to identify and respond to threats. They work with other stakeholders to develop and implement security policies and procedures, and they train employees on security best practices. This course may be useful for aspiring Security Analysts as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They work with other stakeholders to develop and implement security policies and procedures, and they monitor and respond to security threats. This course may be useful for aspiring Information Security Analysts as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. They work with other stakeholders to gather requirements, design software architectures, and implement software solutions. This course may be useful for aspiring Software Engineers as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
IT Auditor
An IT Auditor is responsible for auditing an organization's IT systems and processes to ensure that they are operating in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. They work with other stakeholders to develop audit plans, conduct audits, and report audit findings. This course may be useful for aspiring IT Auditors as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development and launch of new products and features. They work with other stakeholders to define product requirements, develop marketing plans, and track product performance. This course may be useful for aspiring Product Managers as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to meet those needs. They work with other stakeholders to gather requirements, develop business processes, and implement new systems. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts as it provides a foundation in emerging technologies and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Promote the Ethical Use of Data-Driven Technologies.
Exposes the dangers of using big data to make decisions about people's lives. O'Neil shows how these algorithms can be biased and discriminatory, and she calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of data.
Provides a rigorous mathematical framework for understanding the ethical implications of algorithms. Kearns and Roth show how to design algorithms that are fair, accountable, and transparent.
Examines the impact of algorithms on our society. Pasquale argues that we need to be aware of the power of algorithms and take steps to mitigate their potential harms.
Explores the ways in which algorithms can perpetuate and reinforce social inequality. Noble shows how algorithms can be biased against marginalized groups, and she calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of algorithms.
Argues that surveillance capitalism new form of capitalism that is based on the commodification of personal data. Zuboff shows how surveillance capitalism is eroding our privacy and our freedom.
Classic work of sociology that explores the ways in which people present themselves to others. Goffman's insights into human behavior are essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the ethical implications of data-driven technologies.
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Explores the two systems of thinking that govern human behavior. Kahneman shows how System 1 (fast, intuitive thinking) and System 2 (slow, deliberative thinking) interact to shape our decisions. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the ethical implications of data-driven technologies.
Explores the moral psychology of liberals and conservatives. Haidt shows how our moral intuitions are shaped by our culture and our experiences, and he argues that we need to be more open to understanding the perspectives of others.
Explores the cultural divide between urban and rural America. Hochschild shows how different values and beliefs lead to different political views, and she argues that we need to find ways to bridge the gap.
Explores the rise of populism and nationalism around the world. Gurri argues that these movements are a reaction to the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of inequality.
Explores the challenges facing capitalism in the 21st century. Collier argues that we need to reform capitalism to make it more inclusive and sustainable.

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