AI and Society: Ethics and Impact

The UBC Micro-certificate in AI and Society: Ethics and Impact focuses on fundamental concepts in AI, with emphasis on transferable knowledge and critical thinking skills for immediate application in your current work.

Advance your understanding of AI through engaging discussions and activities based on the latest research, evidence and theoretical perspectives. Gain insight into AI’s development and applications, identify ethical challenges and potential solutions and explore how AI can contribute to the common good.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Describe what AI is and how the public interacts with AI daily
• Develop an informed opinion about AI based on research, evidence and fundamental concepts
• Learn how AI is developed and identify AI problem-solving applications
• Discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for society, including its impact on work
• Recognize the ethical challenges that can arise in the development and use of AI, including the problem of biased data regarding racial, cultural, gender or political identities
• Assess and analyze the role of governance and ethical standards in addressing concerns surrounding AI bias, accountability, transparency and human rights
• Consider how AI can be applied to solve societal problems and contribute to the common good

Technical and coding skills are not required for this program as it uses accessible “no code” platforms and tools. It is designed to accommodate professionals in non-technical or tech-adjacent roles, including:

• Leaders and professionals, from business and operational managers, owners and CEOs, and digital transformation leads to business intelligence and financial teams, seeking a solid understanding of AI systems, as well as the opportunities and concerns AI presents for individuals, organizations and society as a whole
• Experienced and established professionals interested in exploring the challenges and potential of AI, and the importance of creating ethical standards to eliminate bias and promote transparency

The total cost of the program is $1,950. Register four weeks before your course starts and save $200 on your registration. 

All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Find more details on:

• financial support options
• refunds, cancellations and transfers

The program consists of one course of eight weeks. The course takes approximately 55 hours to complete.

Once completed, the UBC Micro-certificate in AI and Society: Ethics and Impact can be applied towards the 190-hour UBC Certificates in Cloud and Technology Transformation or Artificial Intelligence in Digital Media.

Required Course

This part-time 100% online program is instructor supported with weekly 1.5 hour real-time classes combined with independent study. Real-time classes are recorded in case you miss one.

Outside of class, you can access online learning activities when it suits your schedule. Each week, you’ll have an opportunity to review readings and videos, apply your knowledge in exercises and case studies, contribute to a discussion board and connect with other students.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately five to seven hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the real-time online classes.

Technology requirements

To take this course, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone

Assessment

You are assessed on successfully completing weekly activities, including your contributions to discussion posts and applied case study projects (based on real-life scenarios). These activities are marked using a proficiency scale. Your instructor also provides you with informal feedback in the real-time classes.

While you are not assessed on your attendance of the real-time sessions, we encourage you to attend as they offer an opportunity to learn and interact with your instructor and other participants. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one.

Our program instructors are experts with extensive industry and adult education experience.

Kelly Shiohira, Lead Course Author and Instructor, is a Director of the Global Science of Learning Education Network and a prominent strategist recognized for her work in areas of literacy, connecting education to the world of work, and the use of AI and Technology in Education.

Dr. Simon Bates, Course Co-Author and Guest Instructor, is the UBC Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning, and Chair Associate of Pacific Rim Universities: University of the Future working group “How GenAI will enable, challenge and disrupt Higher Education.”