Ethics of AI and Robotics

Course structure

This two-day course is presented through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and discussions of case studies. Active participation from the delegates is strongly encouraged. All delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of this course.

What you will learn

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the Foundation of Ethics: Learn key ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics) and frameworks tailored to AI and robotics.
• Analyse Core Ethical Issues: Explore privacy, surveillance, consent, and the ethical dilemmas of algorithmic bias, fairness, and accountability.
• Evaluate Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Navigate the legal responsibilities surrounding AI autonomy, liability, and governance through current regulations.
• Examine Societal Impacts: Understand the social, psychological, and cultural implications of human-AI interaction, including the effects on employment, relationships, trust, and decision-making in sensitive areas like healthcare and law.
• Debate Emerging Ethical Dilemmas: Engage in thought-provoking discussions on AI in warfare, the ethics of autonomous weapons, machine morality, and the future of superintelligence and AI rights.
• Understand Environmental Sustainability: Investigate the environmental footprint of AI and robotics, including energy consumption, e-waste, and sustainable design practices.

Core content

The course material includes the following:

• Ethical frameworks and AI-specific guidelines. 
• Privacy, surveillance, and data ethics in AI applications. 
• Algorithmic bias and fairness: causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies. 
• Accountability and legal responsibility for autonomous systems. 
• Societal impacts: employment, trust, and AI in sensitive fields like healthcare. 
• Environmental sustainability and ethical AI design practices. 
• Global governance, regulations, and future challenges in ethical AI.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for professionals in AI, robotics, ethics, law, public policy, or any field impacted by AI, as well as academics and graduate students interested in understanding the ethical implications of AI and robotics.

This course would not only cover theoretical ethics but also promote critical thinking about the practical and societal implications of AI technologies. By the end of this course, participants will gain foundational and practical insights into the ethical challenges in AI and robotics, with the ability to analyse, debate, and implement ethical practices in their work or research.

Speakers

The course is presented through lectures and workshops conducted by members of Cranfield University’s staff all of whom have considerable academic and industrial experience.

Concessions

20% discount for Cranfield Alumni. 
10% discount when registering 3 or more delegates, from the same organisation at the same time. 

Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL