Leading with a Technology Ethics Mindset

Leading with a Technology Ethics Mindset

This course is part of Technology Ethics and Responsible Innovation Specialization

Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Reichental

What you'll learn

Apply practical ethical principles to evaluate technology decisions and navigate complex real-world dilemmas with greater confidence.
Integrate ethical thinking into leadership, governance, and organizational culture to promote responsible innovation, reduce risk, and build trust.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Risking

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Technology Ethics and Responsible Innovation Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and practical skills to make more responsible technology decisions and lead with greater confidence in an increasingly digital world. You will learn how to identify ethical risks, evaluate competing stakeholder interests, apply proven decision-making frameworks, and integrate ethical thinking into technology initiatives. These capabilities will help you build trust, reduce risk, and create long-term value for your organizations, customers, employees, and society.

What makes this course unique is its strong emphasis on practical leadership rather than philosophy alone. While many ethics courses focus primarily on abstract theories or regulatory compliance, this course demonstrates how ethical principles can be applied to real-world technology challenges. Through practical examples, case studies, and actionable guidance, you will discover how to embed ethical thinking into everyday decisions, organizational culture, governance, and technology strategy, enabling you to move beyond recognizing ethical issues to leading responsible technology initiatives.

Technology increasingly influences how people live, work, communicate, and make decisions. This module introduces the foundations of technology ethics, explores why ethical considerations matter, and examines how technology can create both benefits and unintended consequences. By the end of the module, learners will be able to explain the importance of technology ethics and recognize the ethical implications of technology-related decisions in organizational and societal contexts.

What's included

4 videos10 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 19 minutes

Welcome Video1 minute
Foundations Of Ethical Reasoning6 minutes
What Is Technology Ethics?6 minutes
Technology Decisions Matter More Than Ever6 minutes

10 readingsTotal 167 minutes

Instructor Biography: Dr. Jonathan Reichental5 minutes
Course Outline10 minutes
Technology Ethics Specialization10 minutes
The Relationship Between Ethics and Trust30 minutes
The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics5 minutes
Connecting Risk Management and Technology Ethics30 minutes
OPTIONAL VIDEO: Is Technology Good, Bad, or Neutral7 minutes
What Could Go Wrong?30 minutes
VIDEO: No Good Options10 minutes
CASE STUDY: The Cambridge Analytica Scandal30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Let's Test Your Knowledge Of Module 160 minutes

Responsible technology leadership requires a strong ethical foundation. In this module, learners will explore key principles such as fairness, transparency, privacy, accountability, and inclusion, and learn how these concepts can guide decision-making. By the end of the module, learners will understand the principles that underpin ethical technology leadership and be able to apply them when evaluating technology initiatives and strategies.

What's included

3 videos4 readings1 assignment

3 videosTotal 22 minutes

Common Ethical Models8 minutes
Exploring Principles Of Technology Ethics7 minutes
Principles Of Technology Ethics In Action7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Consequentialism Versus Deontology30 minutes
Applying Ethical Principles20 minutes
Seven Common Ethical Principles30 minutes
CASE STUDY: Air Canada Is Held Responsible for Its AI Chatbot20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

It's Time To Assess What You Learned In Module 260 minutes

Technology-related decisions often involve competing priorities, stakeholder interests, and difficult trade-offs. This module introduces practical frameworks for identifying ethical issues, assessing potential impacts, and navigating complex situations with confidence. By the end of the module, learners will be able to recognize ethical challenges, evaluate potential consequences, and make more informed and responsible decisions.

What's included

3 videos4 readings1 assignment

3 videosTotal 20 minutes

Framework For Managing Ethical Issues7 minutes
Asking The Right Questions6 minutes
Engaging And Communicating With Stakeholders6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 100 minutes

5-Step Ethical Decision-Making Framework (Image)10 minutes
The Right Questions At The Right Time30 minutes
10 Tips For Successful Stakeholder Engagement30 minutes
CASE STUDY: Microsoft Pauses Facial Recognition Sales to Police30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

It's That Time Again, Let's Test Your Knowledge Of Module 360 minutes

Creating ethical outcomes requires more than individual decision-making. It requires a culture that supports responsible practices and accountability. This module explores how leaders can foster ethical awareness, encourage responsible innovation, and establish governance mechanisms that promote ethical behavior across an organization. By the end of the module, learners will be prepared to champion ethical technology practices and help build a culture where responsible decision-making is embedded in everyday work.