Certificate Applied Ethical AI
This course is currently offered in collaboration with Creative Futures Academy (CFA). CFA is a ground-breaking partnership between: The National College of Art and Design, University College Dublin, and the Institute of Art, Design + Technology. Our tailored programmes and micro courses offer access to expertise and networks across the three leading creative institutions and our industry partners. Learn with us as we experiment, innovate and respond to change.
What is Applied Ethical AI*?
The course adopts a use-case-centric approach, exploring AI applications in Game/XR, social media, and movies, and delves into critical themes such as the morality and nature of art, trustworthy AI, ethics, copyright, bias, diversity and inclusion, and biodiversity/ecology.
It also provides an overview of the AI Act and relevant standards, alongside insights into the psychology of AI, interpretation of AI in creative industries, and the impact of AI created content on computer-mediated communication (CMC) and perception. Technical modules cover the engineering of AI models, generative AI, statistical models, computational time, and AI workflows with a strong emphasis on ethical prompt engineering.
The curriculum combines project-based learning and hands-on work ensuring you gain both practical skills and ethical awareness. Assessment is CA-driven, with a focus on real-world creative projects and ethical reviews, culminating in a certification that highlights proficiency in practical AI applications and ethical considerations for the creative industries.
*subject to validation
What modules will I study?
You will study four core pillars. Each module is 5 ECTS:
- Psychology of AI
- AI for Ethical Entrepreneurship
- Applied AI – Model Design and Creation
- Applied AI – Model Workflows
You will study AI applications in creative practice, ethical prompt engineering, governance and standards, generative AI models such as GANs, VAEs and diffusion models, and practical workflows using tools and other open-source environments.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is 100% continuous assessment across all four modules. Assessment is portfolio-driven and project-based, and may include open-book theoretical tasks, practical implementation work, ethical reviews, critical reflection, presentations, and real-world creative project outputs.
Dates + Times
The course runs part-time over 24 weeks, on Wednesday evenings (7pm – 9pm) from the 30th September 2026 to the 31st March 2027 (subject to change).
Classes are delivered fully online.