In 2021 Andrew Cormack, who served as Jisc’s Chief Regulatory Adviser from 1999 until his passing in 2023, created a thought-provoking, perceptive mini-MOOC on the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Given the seismic shifts in the AI landscape since 2021, Jisc’s AI team had planned on updating Andrew’s original content significantly. However, on reviewing the material we decided on a different approach.
Andrew had crafted the module to be both practical and philosophical. He explores AI’s role in society with enduring pertinence, unpacking complex concepts around how to use AI responsibly. His insights, therefore, are as valuable today as they were when the module was first launched.
For example, the module helps us make sense of our intuitions around situations where the use of AI makes us uncomfortable, and where it doesn’t. Why, for instance, does the use of facial recognition in shopping centers feel more menacing than its use at passport gates? Both employ the same technology, so what’s the underlying difference? Andrew answers these questions with a simple yet incisive model, which can be used to categorise a wide range of AI applications and judge their inherent ‘creepiness’.
The module’s continuing applicability is evidenced by the discussions taking place amongst learners. While the module itself does not discuss generative AI, in the tasks that require people to share their thoughts and ideas in the forum, contributors are frequently making links between Andrew’s ideas and current innovations, such as ChatGPT.
Given the wealth of insight provided by the module, we have decided that it should remain available to members in its full glory. Nothing has been removed, we’ve just added a few contemporary links for further reading. To book your place on the Artificial Intelligence and Ethics MOOC, please visit the webpage and click ‘Book now‘.
We’ve also decided to develop a new resource on AI Safety and Ethics, to be published in 2025, which will draw upon the latest guidance on this topic. Before then, we’d highly recommend taking Andrew Cormack’s module and familiarising yourself with the fundamental concepts in this area.
Find out more by visiting our Artificial Intelligence page to view publications and resources, join us for events and discover what AI has to offer through our range of interactive online demos.
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Get in touch with the team directly at AI@jisc.ac.uk
