The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has partnered with Coursera to introduce a free online course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics, giving learners, educators and institutions worldwide access to practical training on the responsible use of AI.

Named the Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI, the course has been developed in collaboration with LG AI Research and is designed to help participants understand the ethical challenges associated with AI technologies and apply internationally recognised principles in real-world situations.

Focus on Responsible AI Development

The course is designed to help learners identify ethical risks associated with artificial intelligence, evaluate competing priorities and make informed decisions regarding the design, deployment and governance of AI systems.

Participants will explore critical topics such as:

• Privacy and data protection

• Transparency and accountability

• Human autonomy

• Fairness and inclusion

• Environmental sustainability

• Responsible AI governance

The programme combines theoretical concepts with practical case studies and hands-on learning activities.

Developed with Global Academic Experts

The curriculum has been created with contributions from leading AI experts and researchers from globally recognised institutions, including:

• Carnegie Mellon University

• University of Toronto

• Alan Turing Institute

• Other international AI policy and ethics specialists

The course aims to bridge the gap between ethical AI principles and their practical implementation across industries.

Available in 11 Languages

To improve global accessibility, the course is offered in 11 languages, including:

• English

• Hindi

• Arabic

• Chinese (Mandarin)

• French

• Spanish

• Russian

• Korean

• Italian

• Portuguese

• Bahasa Indonesian

The multilingual format allows learners from diverse regions to access the programme in their preferred language.

No Technical Background Required

One of the key highlights of the programme is that no advanced technical knowledge is required.

The approximately nine-hour course has been designed for a wide audience, including:

• University students

• Teachers and educators

• Researchers

• Policymakers

• Government officials

• Technology professionals

• Business leaders

• Anyone interested in responsible AI

UNESCO's Vision for Ethical AI

UNESCO Director-General Prof. Khaled El-Enany said the initiative represents an important step toward transforming global AI ethics principles into practical education.

According to UNESCO, the course seeks to equip learners with the knowledge and tools needed to apply ethical principles throughout the entire AI lifecycle—from development to deployment and governance.

Growing Need for AI Ethics Education

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into education, healthcare, finance, government services and businesses, experts believe ethical literacy is becoming as important as technical skills.

The course aims to prepare learners to understand the social, legal and ethical implications of AI while encouraging responsible innovation and informed decision-making in both professional and academic settings.