Embedding Ethics in AI Education

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into various sectors, universities are recognizing the importance of embedding ethical considerations into AI education. Institutions like Stanford University have pioneered this approach through their Embedded Ethics program, which integrates ethics directly into core computer science courses. This initiative, launched in Fall 2020, involves collaboration between the McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society, the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), and the Computer Science Department. The program aims to make ethical reflection a central component of software and product development by incorporating ethics modules into class lectures, homework, and assessments. This approach signals to students that recognizing and grappling with ethical issues is integral to studying computer science. embeddedethics.stanford.edu

Similarly, Harvard University has established the Embedded EthiCS program, a collaboration between philosophers and computer scientists that promotes developing and using computing technology in socially responsible ways. This program embeds short modules on the ethical and social implications of computing technologies directly into a diverse range of courses across Harvard’s Computer Science curriculum. By integrating ethical reasoning into technical education, these programs aim to equip students with the skills to navigate the complex moral landscapes they will encounter in their professional careers. embeddedethics.seas.harvard.edu