Department of Philosophy

Short course – Introduction to Data and AI Ethics

Date 26-30 September 2022

Full-time short course

Duration Five days

Format Online

Certificate Attendance certificate

Cost R4500

Target audience Industry, students and other stakeholders in data science and AI technologies who need to broaden their knowledge of data and AI ethics.

  1. Overview:

It has become clear that the practice of data science and the development and implementation of AI technologies in various contexts cannot be divorced from ethical considerations. This short course provides an introduction to data science and AI ethics.  Participants will be given an overview of foundational ethical theory, which will then be applied to practical ethical concerns that arise in the context of data science and AI technologies with the help of topical case studies. There will be specific focus on the South African and African contexts.

  1. Outcomes:

Participants will gain competency in the following:

  • Familiarity with introductory ethical theory
  • Familiarity with introductory data ethics
  • Familiarity with introductory AI ethics
  • Familiarity with prominent ethical concerns relating to data practices, for example, ownership of data, the governance of data practices and the like.
  • Familiarity with prominent ethical concerns relating to the development, implementation, and use of AI technologies, such as algorithmic bias, responsibility in artificial decision making, AI for good, governance, and best practice.
  • The ability to apply ethical theory to practical ethical problems that stem from data-related and AI-related practices

 

  1. Syllabus and Schedule:
Topic Day
1. Introduction: Why Data and AI Ethics? 1
2. Introduction to Ethics 1 & 2
3. Ethics of Data 3
4. Ethics of AI 4
5. Ethics of Practice 5
6. The future of Data and AI Ethics 5

 

  1. Format:

A combination of pre-recorded and live online lectures and discussions.

 

  1. Assessment:

The course will not be formally assessed. Attendance of all sessions and completion of all quizzes and/or small assignments will ensure a certificate of attendance.

 

  1. Presenters:
  • Dr Tanya de Villiers-Botha (CAE)
  • Prof. Louise du Toit (CAE)
  • Dr Schalk Engelbrecht (KPMG; CAE)
  • Dr Susan Hall (CAE)
  • Prof. Johan Hattingh (CAE)
  • Dr Andrea Palk (CAE)
  • Prof. Vasti Roodt (CAE)
  • Prof. JP Smit (CAE)
  • Prof. Johan Steyn (AI for Business)
  • Prof. Anton van Niekerk (CAE)
  • Prof. Minka Woermann (CAE)

More information: Dr Tanya de Villiers-Botha

Register here