Ethics of AI and Data in Public Policy

As artificial intelligence and big data increasingly shape public policy, understanding the ethical implications of these technologies is more critical than ever. This text-based course prepares you to analyze, evaluate, and address the ethical challenges of deploying AI and data systems in governance and public affairs. You will gain the critical thinking skills needed to balance technological innovation with public safety, privacy, and social equity. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental ethical principles governing AI and big data analytics. - Identify and mitigate algorithmic bias and systemic discrimination in predictive models. - Analyze the balance between public safety, predictive policing, and individual privacy rights. - Apply modern governance frameworks and data privacy standards to ensure equitable outcomes. - Evaluate the ethical implications of generative AI and automated decision-making in society. The course starts with essential definitions of data ethics and foundational philosophical frameworks. You will then progress through real-world public policy scenarios, examining predictive tools, bias mitigation strategies, and modern regulatory approaches through written exercises and conceptual analyses. This course is designed for public sector professionals, community advocates, policy analysts, and beginners curious about the societal impact of technology. No prior technical or programming experience is required. Start reading today to help shape a fairer, more transparent data-driven society.