Course Introduction

Innovations in computing and engineering are driving rapid advancements in technological production. From blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to gene editing and the Internet of Things (IoT), these breakthroughs offer immense potential for enhancing productivity, efficiency, and overall well-being. However, alongside these opportunities come significant risks, including potential conflicts and harm, as highlighted by increasing scandals.

Technology professionals are now under growing pressure to recognize and address ethical risks related to human rights and the environment. Additionally, they must navigate the ethical trade-offs between aspects such as privacy versus accuracy, fairness versus utility, and safety versus accountability. This Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist course is designed to equip participants with the skills to identify and manage common ethical risks in the development of emerging data-driven technologies. By integrating ethical theory, public regulations, and industry best practices, the course provides concrete skills and guidelines essential for the responsible development of digital products and services. Through its practical, problem-solving approach, learners will gain the expertise to apply ethical principles, frameworks, and techniques effectively within their roles and organizations.

Course Details

Objectives

This course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and tools to address ethical challenges in emerging technologies. Key objectives include:

• Understanding the ethical risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Gaining the skills to identify and mitigate these risks.
• Learning how to apply ethical frameworks and best practices in technology development.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for technology professionals, including software engineers, data scientists, IT leaders, and anyone involved in the development and deployment of emerging technologies.

Daily Agenda

DAY 1: Introduction to the Ethics of Emerging Technologies

• The stakes: Why ethical considerations matter
• Ethics: What it is and why it’s important
• Practical ethical decision-making
• Common causes of ethical failures
• Identifying ethical risks in product development
• Tools for identifying ethical risks
• Using regulations, standards, and human rights frameworks to address risks

DAY 2: Ethical Reasoning in Practice

• Key ethical theories
• Decision-making frameworks for ethical challenges
• Selecting options for ethical action
• Avoiding common pitfalls in ethical decision-making
• Identifying and mitigating security risks
• Understanding security: Definition and key risks
• Navigating security trade-offs
• Mitigating security risks in technology

DAY 3: Identifying and Mitigating Privacy Risks

• What privacy means in emerging technologies
• Identifying privacy risks
• Privacy trade-offs
• Mitigating privacy risks in the development of technology
• Identifying and addressing fairness and bias risks
• Defining fairness and bias in technology
• Detecting bias risks
• Fairness trade-offs and mitigation strategies

DAY 4: Identifying and Mitigating Transparency and Explainability Risks

• The importance of transparency and explainability
• Recognizing risks related to transparency and explainability
• Balancing transparency and explainability with other factors
• Mitigating transparency and explainability risks
• Identifying and managing accountability risks
• Defining accountability in the context of technology
• Accountability trade-offs and mitigation strategies

DAY 5: Building an Ethical Organization

• What constitutes an ethical organization?
• Defining organizational purpose and ethical awareness
• Developing a culture of professional ethics within technology organizations
• Creating ethical systems for technology-focused organizations
• Policy and compliance: Importance and implementation
• Metrics, monitoring, and stakeholder communication
• Ethical leadership and its role in fostering an ethical organizational culture