Delving into the intersection of ethics, AI technology and law, the course comprises
14
topics covering a diverse range of subjects in AI
Issue 50
May 2024
THE BANYAN TREE
In just a few short years, artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly grown from an unfamiliar and niche technical concept into a subject that is widely recognised and talked about by almost everyone. Given its boundless potential in reshaping modern society, professionals today need to have a good understanding of the ethical, legal and social implications of introducing AI into different aspects of our lives.
The new CET short course on The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence by the Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) offers an accessible entry point to kick-start your learning journey into this domain.
While there are many courses and training programmes on the science and technical aspects of AI, there are few, if any, that address the ethical dimensions of AI. This is the first time a course relating to AI has been put together with an anthology of such topics.
This course delves into the intersection of ethics, AI technology and law. It comprises a series of 14 topics covering a diverse range of subjects in AI—from the history of AI development impacting its applications in society, to the ethical vis-a-vis technical considerations of how AI systems work, the implications of how AI processes data and makes decision like (or unlike) a human being, and examining how AI systems and technologies now enter (or intrude) into the most private aspects of human lives, including in the field of medicine and healthcare.
The course is led by a panel of distinguished academics and leading thinkers in these fields from the world’s top universities, including Oxford, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, Melbourne, and Singapore’s National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Learners will embark on a journey that dissects the ethical, legal and practical dimensions of AI, exploring complex issues and multifaceted questions that challenge their understanding of AI and its implications for society.
Through this course, they will learn to better recognise the potential ethical, legal, and social impacts of new AI technologies. They will also be better equipped to understand, analyse, and articulate the ethical dilemmas and challenges arising from the introduction or implementation of new AI technologies.
These skills and knowledge will be especially valuable and useful for those with a career in AI research and development, users of new AI technologies (especially AI in healthcare), regulation and legal compliance concerning AI, as well as those with leadership and policymaking roles in the field of AI.
This course welcomes professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds spanning different fields, including AI researchers and technology specialists, health professionals, educators, legal practitioners, government officials and policy analysts. While technical proficiency in AI is advantageous, it is not a prerequisite.
This course offers a blended learning experience, delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous online e-learning. Each topic will feature (i) a pre-recorded video lecture by the expert speaker on that topic, and (ii) a ‘live’ online dialogue session where learners get to engage in further discussion and delve deeper into the topic with the speaker.
With this format, learners enjoy the flexibility of viewing the pre-recorded video lectures at their own pace. The videos are mounted on a user-friendly learning management system, and captioned with English and Chinese subtitles for a better learning experience. The learning from the video is followed by online dialogue and discussion with the expert speaker and fellow learners, which helps to deepen learning and understanding of the subject.
These skills and knowledge will be especially valuable and useful for those with a career in AI research and development, users of new AI technologies (especially AI in healthcare), regulation and legal compliance concerning AI, as well as those with leadership and policymaking roles in the field of AI.
This course will run through May and June 2024, with the recorded lectures becoming available starting in May, and the first of the 14 ‘live’ online dialogue sessions beginning in mid-May.
Learners can enrol for the full course of all 14 topics, or select any combination of a set number of topics.
Those who enrol for the full course may also be eligible to use SkillsFuture Credits subject to fulfilling the prescribed criteria and conditions.
Panel of Educators
Professor Julian Savulescu
Chen Su Lan Professor in Medical Ethics
Director, Centre for Biomedical Ethics
National University of Singapore
Professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Chauncey Stillman Professor of Practical Ethics
Department of Philosophy
Kenan Institute for Ethics
Duke University
Professor Joseph Sung
Senior Vice-President
(Health & Life Sciences)
Dean, Lee Kong Chian School
of Medicine
Nanyang Technological University
Dr Brian Earp
Senior Research Fellow in Moral Psychology
Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
University of Oxford
Professor Jeannie Paterson
Centre for AI and Digital Ethics
Co-director, Digital Access and Equity Research Program
Melbourne Social Equity Institute
The University of Melbourne
Kwan-Yee Ng
Senior Program Manager
Concordia AI
Note: To see the full panel of educators, refer to the course website.
This column is dedicated to the pursuit of continuous learning and development and takes its name from the banyan tree. It has roots that grow deep, anchoring it firmly in the soil. The tree spreads its shade wide and far and provides space for reflection and discussion. We invite you to come and take a seat under its shade.
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