Course Details | asf.africa

AI Ethics and Safety for Beginners

Discover how AI can both help and harm society. From deepfake scams and autonomous weapons to the risks of superintelligence, this module explores the challenge...

Weekly LIVE Sessions

Video Classes

English

100 Students

Certificate Course

Course Overview

Artificial Intelligence brings incredible opportunities, but it also introduces serious risks that society must carefully manage. In this module, you’ll explore the short-term dangers of AI, such as deepfake scams that spread misinformation and autonomous weapons that raise security and ethical concerns. You’ll then move into the long-term challenges, including the possibility of superintelligent systems and the alignment problem ensuring that powerful AI continues to act in line with human goals and values.

To address these challenges, the module also examines the importance of global governance. You’ll learn how organizations like the United Nations and companies such as OpenAI are working to create policies, safety standards, and international cooperation to guide AI’s development responsibly. By the end, you’ll understand not only the risks we face but also the collective efforts being made to keep AI safe and beneficial for everyone.

FAQ

Yes! Each course comes with an assigned mentor who hosts weekly live sessions and provides support throughout your learning journey.

Absolutely. The platform is mobile-friendly, so you can learn on your smartphone, tablet, or computer whichever suits you best.

Not at all. Many of our courses are designed for absolute beginners. Each course page lists any prerequisites (if required), but most start from scratch.

Yes! You will get a certificate after you complete the course. Our certificates are widely recognized by employers and useful for showcasing your practical skills and achievements.

While not officially accredited, our certificates are widely recognized by employers and useful for showcasing your practical skills and achievements. However, access to mentors is limited to 3 months after your payment.

No. You have lifetime access to any course you enroll in, so you can learn at your own pace and revisit lessons as needed. However, access to mentors is limited to 3 months after your payment.

Course curriculum

Requirement

No prior knowledge of reinforcement learning required
A laptop or PC with internet access
Curiosity to learn about the risks, ethics, and policies shaping the future of AI.

Outcomes

Explain the short-term risks of AI, including deepfakes and autonomous weapons.
Describe the long-term risks, such as superintelligence and the alignment problem.
Develop a beginner’s perspective on how humans can guide AI toward safe and responsible use.
Understand the role of global governance (UN initiatives, OpenAI’s policies) in managing AI risks.