Generative AI in Society: Ethics, Bias, and Responsible Innovation

Generative AI in Society: Ethics, Bias, and Responsible Innovation

This Course at a Glance

• Explore the ethical and societal impact of generative AI
• Learn how to identify and address bias, misinformation, and risk
• Gain practical insight into AI ethics, regulation, and future impact
• Ideal for students, professionals, and anyone interested in AI responsibility
• Fully online, flexible and accredited with an AI certification course

AI is transforming the way we live and work, but with this innovation comes a growing responsibility to understand its broader impact.

This course focuses on the ethical, legal, and social challenges of generative AI. From deepfakes to data privacy, copyright to content bias, we’ll help you explore the real-world consequences of AI technology and how to navigate them responsibly.

Whether you're a learner, a policymaker, a creator, or simply curious, this is one of the best ways to learn AI in a thoughtful, grounded, and human-centred way. You'll also gain a meaningful qualification with an AI certification course that reflects your understanding of ethics, inclusion, and responsible design.

Getting started

At learndirect, we believe education should fit around your life, not the other way around. That’s why this course is delivered entirely online, giving you the freedom to learn wherever and whenever suits you best.

This course is part of our growing range of AI learning courses designed for real people in the real world. With flexible access and a focus on real-world issues, this is also one of the best AI courses for students, professionals, and anyone eager to understand the bigger picture of responsible AI use.

Modules

Unit 1: Introduction to Generative AI

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand what Generative AI is.
• Trace the history and evolution of Generative AI, including key concepts like GANs, VAEs, and Transformers.
• Differentiate between Generative and Discriminative AI models.
• Identify real-world applications and industries currently leveraging Generative AI.

Unit 2: Foundations of AI Ethics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Define what ethics means in the specific context of Artificial Intelligence.
• Grasp core ethical principles relevant to AI, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability.
• Understand the differences between ethical guidelines, legal requirements, and social norms in AI development.
• Be introduced to foundational ethical frameworks, including utilitarianism, rights-based ethics, and virtue ethics, as they apply to AI.

Unit 3: Bias in Generative AI Systems

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Learn how various forms of bias can enter AI models through data, design choices, and deployment strategies.
• Examine concrete examples of bias, including racial, gender, cultural, and linguistic bias, in Generative AI outputs.
• Discover techniques for detecting and mitigating bias in AI-generated content.
• Understand the disproportionate impacts of AI bias on marginalised communities.

Unit 4: Misinformation, Deepfakes, and Content Authenticity

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Gain an understanding of deepfakes and how AI is used to generate misinformation.
• Recognise the challenges of verifying content authenticity in the age of Generative AI.
• Explore tools and standards for content verification, such as digital watermarks and provenance tracking.

Unit 5: Copyright, IP, and Ownership in AI-Generated Content

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Address the complex question of who owns content generated by Artificial Intelligence.
• Understand the legal uncertainty surrounding fair use principles and the use of copyrighted material for model training.
• Differentiate between creative commons licenses and proprietary outputs in the context of AI.
• Analyse current case law and emerging policy trends related to AI and intellectual property.

Unit 6: Privacy, Consent, and Data Ethics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Examine potential privacy violations related to AI model training data.
• Understand the implications of using personal data in Large Language Models (LLMs) and image generation models.
• Explore best practices for ensuring consent, transparency, and opt-out mechanisms in AI systems.
• Learn about the intersection of AI with privacy regulations like GDPR and other relevant policies.

Unit 7: Responsible Design and Deployment

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Learn about inclusive design principles for developing ethical AI systems.
• Understand the importance and practice of model documentation (e.g., creating model cards and datasheets).
• Explore the implementation of 'human-in-the-loop' systems and other oversight mechanisms for AI.
• Gain insights into red teaming and stress testing methodologies for identifying AI vulnerabilities.

Unit 8: AI Governance and Regulation

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand global regulatory efforts impacting AI, including the EU AI Act, U.S. Executive Orders, and UNESCO guidelines.
• Learn about the crucial role of AI ethics boards and independent audits in ensuring accountability.
• Explore concepts of corporate responsibility and internal governance frameworks for AI within organisations.

Unit 9: The Future of AI and Human Values

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Discuss long-term risks and speculative harms associated with AI, such as automation's impact on employment and existential risks.
• Identify positive use cases of AI, including its potential for enhancing accessibility, education, and global inclusion.
• Reflect on strategies for building AI systems that are aligned with human values and contribute to social good.

Entry Requirements

This course is open to everyone, there are no formal prerequisites. You don’t need a tech or coding background, just an interest in how AI is shaping the world. If you’re looking for the best AI course for students, professionals, or lifelong learners interested in ethics and society, this is a great place to begin.

Average completion timeframe

You can complete this course at your own pace, with no deadlines. Most learners finish within a few weeks, spending a few hours per week on the modules.

Assessment requirements

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that we can consistently monitor your progress and can provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course. You will receive a digital certificate (e-cert) issued by TQUK upon successful completion of the course.

Course fees

All fees are included in your enrolment. There are no hidden costs or additional software to purchase.

TQUK

This course is officially endorsed by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK), a nationally recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. TQUK endorsement confirms that the course content, delivery and assessment have been rigorously reviewed for quality, consistency and relevance to industry standards. Learners can be confident that they are engaging with a professionally recognised programme that supports career development and lifelong learning.

Established in 2013, Training Qualifications UK are one of the most forward-thinking and agile Awarding Organisations in the UK. They work closely with both employers and providers to ensure learners receive qualifications that have impact in the workplace and help learners succeed in all walks of life.

Understanding the risks, responsibilities, and opportunities of Generative AI is becoming a valuable skill across industries, from education and media to business, law, and technology. Whether you're looking to:

• Complement technical skills with ethical awareness
• Work in AI policy, governance, or regulation
• Stand out in roles that involve content, communications, or compliance
• Prepare for further study in AI ethics, social science, or public policy
• Make informed decisions in your own business or organisation

This course will give you a solid grounding in the issues that matter most in today’s AI landscape.