BCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI
This course introduces the key issues in ethical AI and equips you to design and build AI ethically, navigating risks from security to human rights.
Who is it for?
This AI ethics course is ideal for anyone involved with designing or developing software that uses AI.
How can I access it?
Purchase and gain access to 12 hours of on demand content accessed via BCS's exclusive platform - Discover.
What you'll learn:
- The ethical issues of AI and data use.
- How to use virtue-based thinking to gain trust in AI.
- How AI ethics and data keep the law from stifling innovation.
- If and how to approach creating ethics guidelines.
This course includes:
- 12 hours of on-demand training
- Videos from industry experts
- Interactive elements to explore
- Scenarios to connect the topics to your work
- AI-marked scenario exercises
- An exam to gain a recognised certification
- Access on mobile and desktop
Course content
5 modules • 5 knowledge checks • 3 AI-marked scenario exercises • 1 exam • 12 hrs total length
In this module, you’ll learn about the key values and principles of AI ethics. Explore the ethical considerations of developing and using AI technologies. Discover the essential duties and obligations involved in producing ethical, fair and safe AI applications.
Topics in this module:
Foundations of ethical IT professionalism
Discover the fundamental aspects of ethical conduct for IT professionals, the BCS code of conduct, and the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in IT professionalism.
Case study: Amazon AI recruitment algorithm
Delve into the ethical challenges and threats faced in this Amazon case study and consider the safeguards that could have been used.
Identifying threats to ethical behaviour
Learn about potential threats that could undermine ethical behaviour in AI and the safeguards used to address them.
Ethical by design
Explore the "Ethical by design" approach which aims to proactively anticipate and address ethical concerns rather than reacting to them afterwards.
The role of regulation in managing AI risk
Find out how regulation provides the necessary framework to ensure responsible and accountable AI development and deployment.
The DIODE framework
Discover a structured approach to making ethical decisions throughout the development and deployment of AI technologies.
Knowledge test
The pass mark for this module is 70%
In this module, you’ll discover AI as a disruptive force transforming how we live, work, learn and interact with the world. Learn how AI can be harnessed to keep pace with rapidly evolving technological advancements and drive change that will allow us to go further than ever before.
Topics in this module:
The AI revolution
AI has begun to transform and embed itself within the world in which live, meaning that it is now relevant to everyone. Let's explore this impact.
Real-world applications of various AI technologies
Delve into what AI is, its various subsets, and their practical uses.
Supervised and unsupervised learning
Learn about labelled and unlabelled data types, which are essential to understanding supervised and unsupervised learning.
The versatile use cases of generative AI algorithms
Explore the different types of AI.
How do we develop and use AI ethically?
Discover the concerns and challenges around the development and use of AI.
The AI lifecycle
Explore the common stages and ethical principles of AI development.
Knowledge test
The pass mark for this module is 70%
This module is followed by an AI-marked scenario to put your learning into practice. (Please note that the AI-marked scenarios are only available with the foundation certificate and not if you buy this module as a standalone item).
In this module, you’ll explore data ethics - principles and guidelines that can show you how to collect, handle and use data in a way that respects the privacy and rights of data subjects. Find out how data ethics build on and go beyond following data legislation.
Topics in this module:
Key aspects of data governance
Explore the key principles of data governance in AI development.
Overcoming the hurdles in handling varied data types
Delve into the complex challenge of working with the vast quantities of diverse forms of data that AI development and training require.
Regulations and authorities
Discover more about the regulations and authorities governing the legal and ethical collection and use of data in the UK.
Data Protection Act 2018
Learn about the seven fundamental principles set out in the UK GDPR and what they mean for data used in AI.
Data Ethics Framework
Explore the principles and guidelines that inform the responsible collection, handling and use of data that respects the privacy and rights of data subjects.
Knowledge test
The pass mark for this module is 70%
In this module, you’ll explore the stages of working data, the required roles to manage the risks, and sustainable practices for ethical and eco-conscious AI. Discover the pivotal role of data architecture in shaping efficient systems. Learn to mitigate risks for data integrity and security. Explore sustainability measures to reduce AI's environmental impact.
Topics in this module:
The role of data architecture in AI
Consider how ethical principles relate to the role of data architecture and how these considerations contribute to responsible and ethical AI practices.
Unveiling the AI-powered data lifecycle stages
Explore critical stages such as data creation, storage, sharing, utilisation, archiving, and deletion.
Approaches to support management of risk
Discover the categories of risks in data architecture and their potential impact.
AI sustainability
Learn how to embrace sustainability in AI.
Knowledge test
The pass mark for this module is 70%
This module is followed by an AI-marked scenario to put your learning into practice. (Please note that the AI-marked scenarios are only available with the foundation certificate and not if you buy this module as a standalone item).
In this module, you’ll learn about the crucial steps in building and validating AI solutions. Delve into organisational considerations, human-centred design principles, training AI models, rigorous testing, and ensuring continued safe operation.
Topics in this module:
Strategic insights for developing AI solutions
Delve into the use of AI for external organisations, examine how the developer's organisation can support ethical AI and underscore the importance of selling AI to organisations capable of deploying it ethically.
Human-centred design principles
Explore the key principles to consider in human-centred design.
AI training processes and essential considerations
Explore the importance of data volume, variety, and reliability and the critical role of selecting the appropriate training data.
Critical examination in AI testing
Discover the key areas to test to ensure the reliability and accuracy of AI solutions.
Sustaining safe AI operations
Learn about the measures to take to safeguard the continuous operation of AI systems.
Knowledge test
The pass mark for this module is 70%
This module is followed by an AI-marked scenario to put your learning into practice. (Please note that the AI-marked scenarios are only available with the foundation certificate and not if you buy this module as a standalone item).
Course description
Today’s stakeholders value ethical standards more than ever before, and they expect you to use AI responsibly to limit harm to others. This exclusive learning programme helps you and your team make smart decisions that protect your reputation as well as your customers.
Exploring the role of ethics in AI, you’ll get more than theoretical knowledge with real-life case studies and interviews to apply what you’ve learnt. Plus, you’ll complete our innovative AI-marked activities which use ChatGPT to give you instant, personalised feedback on your answers.
Practical tools such as checklists are also included within the course content to provide support when applying ethical decision making in the design of projects.
In total, the course will take you around 12 hours to complete; you can stop at any point and come back later if you prefer bite-size learning or have limited time available.
At the end of the course, you’ll be able to put your learning to the test. The exam is a one hour ‘closed book’ test with 20 multiple choice (1 mark) and 10 practical multiple response (2 marks) questions. The pass mark is 65%. Once you pass, you’ll gain a globally recognised certification to prove your knowledge.
Want to buy just one module?
You can buy any of the modules as a standalone course for £36 each incl. VAT.
An ethical framework for using AI
Innovating ethically with AI to drive business change
Data privacy, governance, and policy in AI
Data architecture, sustainability, and ethics
Ethically building and testing AI solutions
