DTBS 0001 - AI and Data Ethics

Course Description

In today’s data-rich environments, as data and AI technologies continue to become increasingly central to decision-making, we must navigate complex ethical landscapes.

This course provides a practical foundation in data and AI ethics, focusing on issues of bias, privacy, transparency and responsible use. During the course, you will analyze the ethical implications of data collection, algorithmic design and AI deployment. Participants will apply ethical frameworks in real-world scenarios.

A core requirement of the Data Analysis Certificate, this course explores foundational concepts in data ethics, privacy and governance. You’ll build a practical toolkit for identifying and addressing ethical risks in analytics and AI applications and for fostering responsible innovation in your organization.

Whether you’re working with personal, operational or enterprise-level data, you’ll gain the skills to critically assess important questions such as:

What data is being collected, and why?
Has proper consent been obtained?
Are we using data fairly, securely and for its intended purpose?
How can organizations build structures that support long-term ethical behavior?

You’ll explore relevant standards and regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR and others, examine sources of bias and consider the role of governance in protecting both individuals and organizations from risk.

Key topics span both data and AI ethics, including bias, transparency, privacy, data ownership, fairness and the broader societal impacts of emerging technologies.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Define key ethical concepts: data ethics, AI ethics, data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency and accountability
Describe how bias is introduced in data collection, algorithm development and AI decision-making
Identify privacy and security risks across data and AI systems and recognize relevant regulations (e.g., the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)).
Evaluate the ethical implications of AI use cases, including fairness, explainability and human oversight.
Apply ethical frameworks and best practices to develop a plan for ethical data and AI use in your organization.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals across industries who work with data and AI, including analysts, managers, decision-makers and anyone responsible for handling, interpreting or governing data.

Whether you’re involved in marketing, healthcare, public sector or technology, this course will equip you with the ethical knowledge and practical skills to identify bias, navigate privacy regulations and promote responsible data and AI use in your organization.

No technical background is required.

Testimonials

"Great instructor! It was nice being in a smaller class and having more interaction with the instructor and the other participants. Very helpful to have questions answered and to be asked about my experiences in my field. Christine was a great teacher for this class. She would listen to our comments and then agree and sometimes expand further in a way that made me understand the question more. She gave adequate breaks during the day and was very organized and professional. I would attend another course she presented."
-Amanda Beaugrand, Standard Process, October 2022

"I enjoyed hearing about all of the different aspects of ethics in this field. Particularly biases and the different regulations you may have not considered. Great instructor! It was nice being in a smaller class and having more interaction with the instructor and the other participants. Very helpful to have questions answered and to be asked about my experiences in my field."
-Course participant, October 2022

"Enticed us to go beyond our initial observations."
-Course participant, February 2022

Applies Towards the Following Credentials

Data Analysis Certificate : Core