Ethics of Data Science

What are the ethical considerations surrounding consumer privacy and control and big data, especially in the wake of recent major data breaches? This course provides a foundation for analyzing these issues as you explore the ethical implications of collecting, managing, and protecting big data. Explore the broader impact of the field of data science on modern society and the principles of fairness, accountability, and transparency as you gain a deeper understanding of the importance of a common set of ethical values. You will explore the need for voluntary disclosure when using metadata for underlying algorithms and/or complex AI systems, as well as best practices for responsible data governance, the significance of the Fair Information Practices Act, and laws relating to the “right to be forgotten.” This course will help you answer questions such as who owns data, how we value privacy, how to obtain informed consent, and what it means to be fair. This course will be useful for data scientists and anyone starting to use or expanding their use of data. No specific previous knowledge is required.