AI and Society: AI for a Greater Good

The UBC Micro-certificate in AI and Society: AI for the Greater Good provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of AI and its presence in our everyday lives. It covers fundamental concepts of AI systems and delves into the ethical considerations and challenges that can emerge during the development and deployment of AI solutions, including the problem of biased data regarding racial, cultural, gender or political identities. Learners will explore the potential of AI to contribute to the common good, while also gaining an understanding of the importance of establishing ethical standards that address concerns surrounding bias, accountability, transparency and human rights.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Understand what AI is and how the public interacts with AI daily
• Learn how AI is built and identify AI problem-solving applications
• Learn about the impact that AI has on work and society
• Explore the ethical challenges that can arise in the development and use of AI
• Understand how AI can be applied to the common good

Technical and coding skills are not required to take this program. It is designed to accommodate professionals in non-technical or tech-adjacent roles, including:

• leaders and professionals, from business and operational managers, owners and CEOs, and digital transformation leads to business intelligence and financial teams, seeking a solid understanding of AI systems, as well as the opportunities and concerns AI presents for individuals, organizations and society as a whole
• experienced and established professionals interested in exploring the challenges and potential of AI, and the importance of creating ethical standards to eliminate bias and promote transparency

The total cost of the program is $1,950. Register at least two weeks before your course starts and save $200 on your registration. 

All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are subject to GST where applicable. Fees may be paid by Visa®, Visa® Debit, Mastercard®, American Express®, money order or certified cheque.

For details on financial support options, please see Financial Assistance.

For details on UBC’s payment policies, please see Refunds, Cancellations and Transfers.

The program consists of one course of eight weeks. The course takes approximately 55 hours to complete.

Once completed, the UBC Micro-certificate in AI and Society: AI for a Greater Good can be applied towards the 190-hour vendor-agnostic UBC Cloud and Technology Transformation Certificate program and the UBC Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Digital Media program.

Required Course

This part-time 100% online program is instructor supported with weekly 1.5 hour real-time classes combined with independent study. Real-time classes are recorded in case you miss one.

Outside of class, you can access online learning activities when it suits your schedule. Each week, you’ll have an opportunity to review readings and videos, apply your knowledge in exercises and case studies, contribute to a discussion board and connect with other students.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately five to seven hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the real-time online classes.

Technology requirements

To take this course, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone

Assessment

You are assessed on successfully completing weekly activities, including your contributions to discussion posts and applied case study projects (based on real-life scenarios). These activities are marked using a proficiency scale. Your instructor also provides you with informal feedback in the real-time classes.

While you are not assessed on your attendance of the real-time sessions, we encourage you to attend as they offer an opportunity to learn and interact with your instructor and other participants. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one.

Our program instructors are experts with extensive industry and adult education experience.

Kelly Shiohira, Lead Course Author and Instructor, is a Director of the Global Science of Learning Education Network and a prominent strategist recognized for her work in areas of literacy, connecting education to the world of work, and the use of AI and Technology in Education. Kelly has worked on large-scale projects and works across the value chain of planning, implementation and monitoring, and evaluation to design, deliver and evaluate educational interventions.

Dr. Simon Bates, Course Co-Author and Guest Instructor, is the UBC Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning, and Chair Associate of Pacific Rim Universities: University of the Future working group “How GenAI will enable, challenge and disrupt Higher Education.” Simon has facilitated numerous discussions around GenAI and its impact on teaching and learning in HESA’s AI Observatory round table community meetings which focuses on AI Policies in Canadian Post-Secondary Education. 

Dr. Natalie Lao, Course Co-Author, is an Executive Director of the App Inventor Foundation. Dr. Lao's research on databases, AI, ML, and educational frameworks has been featured by MIT News and UNESCO. Natalie also serves as Individual Specialist for UNESCO's AI & the Futures of Learning project.

• Kelly Shiohira
• Simon Bates