UNESCO and LG AI Research have officially launched a free global Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, marking a significant step towards making AI ethics education accessible to learners around the world.
The course, titled Empowering Minds: Transforming Lives, was formally unveiled during the Ethics by Design: Industry and Innovation Conference in Seoul, South Korea. Hosted on Coursera, the programme is open to anyone worldwide and has been designed to help professionals, policymakers, researchers, students and developers apply internationally recognised ethical principles throughout the AI lifecycle.
The initiative is built around the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, unanimously adopted by all 193 UNESCO Member States in 2021 as the world’s first global normative framework on AI ethics. According to UNESCO, the new online course represents an important move from establishing ethical principles to helping people put those principles into practice.
Speaking at the launch, UNESCO Director-General Prof. Khaled El-Enany said the organisation’s work is now focused on turning international commitments into practical action.
“Principles alone do not build ethical AI, people do. Through this course, UNESCO is taking the next step in its leadership on AI ethics, translating the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence into practical learning that empowers people to apply ethical principles throughout the AI lifecycle. This is how we move from shared commitments to meaningful action.”
The free course has been developed to serve a broad international audience, regardless of professional background. UNESCO said participants will gain practical knowledge of ethics-by-design approaches that can be integrated into the development, deployment and governance of AI systems.
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The curriculum is divided into ten modules covering key topics including fairness and inclusion, transparency and accountability, privacy and data governance, safety and security, environmental sustainability, and global AI governance. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course incorporates practical case studies, decision-making exercises and adaptable frameworks that reflect real-world AI challenges.
The Government of the Republic of Korea has also welcomed the initiative as part of wider efforts to promote responsible AI development.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Dr Kyung Hoon Bae described the programme as an important global educational resource.
“This open online course will serve as a global public good that enables people across borders and generations to learn about and practice AI ethics. The Korean government will continue to work closely with UNESCO and the international community to contribute to human-centred AI development and broader digital inclusion.”
The programme is freely available through Coursera, where learners who successfully complete the course will be eligible to receive certification. UNESCO said the course has been developed by global experts and forms part of its broader commitment to democratising education in AI ethics by making high-quality learning available worldwide.
Coursera also welcomed the collaboration, with Chief Content Officer Marni Baker Stein highlighting the growing importance of ethical AI education as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded across society.
“This free course, developed with LG AI Research, will help learners and institutions around the world make more informed decisions about how AI is designed, deployed, and governed. Together, we’re expanding global access to high-quality education on one of the most important issues of our time.”
To maximise accessibility, the course is delivered primarily in English with translation options available in 11 languages, enabling learners across different regions to participate.
UNESCO said enrolment is now open, with the initiative aimed at strengthening global capacity for the ethical development, governance and use of artificial intelligence in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Bio: An (HND, BA, MBA, MSc) is a tech-savvy digital marketing professional, writing on artificial intelligence, digital tools, and emerging technologies. He holds an HND in Marketing, is a Chartered Marketer, earned an MBA in Marketing Management from LAUTECH, a BA in Marketing Management and Web Technologies from York St John University, and an MSc in Social Business and Marketing Management from the University of Salford, Manchester.
He has professional experience across sales, hospitality, healthcare, digital marketing, and business development, and has worked with Sheraton Hotels, A24 Group, and Kendal Nutricare. A skilled editor and web designer, He focuses on simplifying complex technologies and highlighting AI-driven opportunities for businesses and professionals.
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Well done! These are the things the world need and expecting from the global giants.