The first step in ensuring ethical data practices is learning about the ethical principles that guide data science. There are a number of online courses that can introduce you to these concepts. Below we have compiled a list of 5 excellent data science ethics courses for your consideration.
Data Science Ethics (edx)
Data Science Ethics is a free online ethics course offered by the University of Michigan in the United States. The class is open to everyone but will be most beneficial for established data scientists as well as students studying data science. Lasting for four weeks, the class consists of four units: What are Ethics? History, Concept of Informed Consent; Data Ownership; and Privacy. Each unit consists of a series of online videos as well as readings and supplemental assignments. To succeed in the course, students should expect to devote about three to four hours of study time to each module.
Data Science Ethics (coursera)
Data Science Ethics is a free online ethics course offered by the University of Michigan in the United States. Self-paced, the class allows students to gain an introduction to the concept of ethics in data science while working at a pace that is convenient to them. The introductory course has no educational prerequisites or work experience requirements for enrollment. A certificate of completion is available for a $49 fee.
Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics
Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics is a free online ethics course offered by the University of California, Davis, in the United States. The class is intended for computer scientists who are working in artificial intelligence; however, there are no educational prerequisites or work experience requirements for enrollment. The course lasts for four weeks and consists of four modules: Getting Started and Big Data Opportunities; Big Data Limitations; Artificial Intelligence; and Research Ethics. Each module is taught through video lectures. Students are also given case studies to analyze and labs to complete using IBM Watson’s artificial intelligence program. Most students will need to invest about two to five hours of study time to each module.
Data Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation
Data Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation is a free online ethics course offered by the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. The class introduces the topics of data ethics and responsible innovation through a story-driven series of lectures. The class lasts for five weeks and requires approximately two to three hours of study time each week to view the videos and complete all supplemental readings and assignments. Students who require a verified certificate of completion will need to pay a $49 fee at the time of enrollment.
Ethics in AI and Big Data
Ethics in AI and Big Data is a free online ethics course offered by the Linux Foundation. The purpose of the course is to help business and data professionals better understand the ethical implications involving data in artificial intelligence. Self-paced, the course can be completed at a pace that fits each students’ individual schedule. The instructor recommends that students complete the course over a six-week period, spending about one to two hours on the coursework weekly. Taught through online video lecture modules, the course is broken down into five sections: Drivers for Data Science, Overview of AI and Data Science Ethics, Building Your Ethical AI Framework, Open Source and AI and Going Forward with AI. Students who wish to receive a certificate of completion from the Linux Foundation can pay a $199 fee and take a final exam at the end of the class. The exam is not given to students who audit the class.
