An Introduction to Responsible AI for SMEs

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An Introduction to Responsible AI for SMEs

Instructors: Shannon Vallor

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of Responsible AI, and basic principles and best practices for Responsible AI innovation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the potential benefit, risks and limits of different AI tools, methods and approaches.
Ask the right questions when seeking to use a proprietary or open-source AI system. Be aware of hidden issues and harms that can occur with such use.

Skills you'll gain

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There are 6 modules in this course

The course is intended to equip Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and micros with a basic

understanding of responsible AI innovation. Having completed the course, learners will understand the potential benefits, risks and limits of different AI tools, methods and approaches, be able to demonstrate an awareness of the relevant policy and regulations relevant to AI adoption, and use and know the right questions to ask when seeking to use a proprietary or open-source AI system for the first time. The course will include exposure to general principles and best practices for responsible AI use, and widely available tools and resources to support organisations in Responsible AI practice. Moreover, the course will include voices from the sector to illustrate practical examples of where AI has been used responsibly, why responsible engagement with AI is necessary, and how to avoid pitfalls and harms that commonly occur when using an AI system. (Course Image by Alan Warburton / © BBC / Better Images of AI / Plant / CC-BY 4.0)

What is ‘AI’, and what do we mean by ‘Responsible AI’? Why is Responsible AI important for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and what benefits can it offer for your business?

What's included

3 videos8 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

3 videos Total 18 minutes

Responsible AI for SMEs: What Does it Offer? 5 minutes
Responsible AI for SMEs: Understanding the Basics 10 minutes
Expert Voices: How SMEs Can Benefit from Responsible AI 4 minutes

8 readings Total 69 minutes

Course Introduction 2 minutes
Meet the Team 1 minute
Course Overview 10 minutes
Responsible AI for SMEs: Setting the Scene 10 minutes
An AI Primer: Key Terms and Concepts 15 minutes
Types of AI: What SMEs Need to Know 15 minutes
FAQ: The AI Questions SMEs Should Be Asking 15 minutes
Upgrade to Continue Your Journey! 1 minute

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

Week 1 - Knowledge Check 20 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 50 minutes

Introduce Yourself 0 minutes
How Have You Interacted with AI? 15 minutes
Narrow AI 15 minutes
Reflective Activity: 5 Questions for Participants 20 minutes

How are regulation, ethics, and governance driving business needs for Responsible AI approaches? What are the basic principles of a Responsible AI approach, and how can those be applied in the SME context?

What's included

4 videos6 readings2 assignments4 discussion prompts

4 videos Total 31 minutes

Expert Voices: Responsible AI and Regulatory Readiness 5 minutes
A Founder Perspective: How to Get the Benefits of AI for Humans (Video) 9 minutes
A Founder Perspective: Building a Responsible AI Roadmap (Video) 6 minutes
Industry Voices: SME Perspectives on Using AI Responsibly - Video 11 minutes

6 readings Total 53 minutes

Overview of the OECD AI Principles 10 minutes
A Founder Perspective: How to Get the Benefits of AI for Humans 1 minute
Feedback: Reasoning about Risk with the AI Principles 20 minutes
A Founder Perspective: Building a Responsible AI Roadmap 1 minute
Getting Started: Your Responsible AI Roadmap and the AI Principles 20 minutes
Industry Voices: SME Perspectives on Using AI Responsibly 1 minute

2 assignments Total 30 minutes

Practice: Using the AI Principles to Assess Use Cases 10 minutes
Week 2 - Knowledge Check 20 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 50 minutes

Which OECD AI Principles Apply? 10 minutes
Reflective Activity: Identifying your Business Values 10 minutes
Reflective Activity: Identifying your Stakeholders 15 minutes
Reflective Activity: Assessing Stakeholder Interests 15 minutes

Focus on the ways that AI can advance your business goals, as well as the risks it can pose, with an eye to how a Responsible AI approach can help you make the right decisions as you weigh these benefits and risks for your business and those you serve.

What's included

3 videos3 readings2 assignments4 discussion prompts

3 videos Total 29 minutes

Expert Voices: Understanding AI’s Benefits and Limitations 6 minutes
Industry Voices: How to Responsibly Manage AI Risks and Benefits 14 minutes
Industry Voices: Responsible AI Advice for SMEs, from SMEs 10 minutes

3 readings Total 35 minutes

Your Responsible AI Roadmap: Next Steps 15 minutes
AI’s Risks and Benefits: 4 Factors to Consider 10 minutes
Feedback: Assessing and Ranking AI Risks 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 12 minutes

AI Limitations: A Practice Question 2 minutes
Week 3 - Knowledge Check 10 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 80 minutes

A Practice Scenario, Part 1: Evaluating AI Use Cases 25 minutes
A Practice Scenario, Part 2: Assessing AI Benefits and Risks 20 minutes
Reflective Activity - When Does it Make Sense to Use AI? 20 minutes
Reflective Activity - What Have You Learned So Far? 15 minutes

We will look at the practical elements that allow you to implement a Responsible AI by Design approach, the tools and resources that can help, and how this approach can help your business tackle AI’s ethical challenges and tradeoffs more effectively.

What's included

3 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

3 videos Total 28 minutes

Responsible AI by Design 8 minutes
Responsible AI Tools and Resources 9 minutes
Industry Voices: How to Manage AI’s Ethical Tradeoffs 11 minutes

5 readings Total 70 minutes

Responsible AI by Design 5 minutes
Deep Dive: Fairness Issues in Machine Learning 15 minutes
Using the Responsible AI Roadmap to Assess Fairness Challenges 20 minutes
What Problem are You Trying to Solve with AI? 10 minutes
Homework – A Responsible AI Readiness and Action Plan 20 minutes

2 assignments Total 40 minutes

Responsible AI by Design: Quiz 20 minutes
Responsible AI Tools and Resources: Quiz 20 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 25 minutes

Reflective Activity: Recap and Reflections on Responsible AI Readiness in Your Sector 25 minutes

We will review the prior weeks’ learning, hear from a panel of Responsible AI leaders what they think the future of AI holds for SMEs, and put all of this to work to develop a concrete Responsible AI strategy for your business.

What's included

3 videos5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

3 videos Total 45 minutes

Expert Voices: How Responsible AI Can Drive Innovation 6 minutes
A Conversation with the Experts: Where to Start Your Responsible AI Journey as an SME 22 minutes
A Conversation with the Experts: Responsible AI Advice and Resources for SMEs 17 minutes

5 readings Total 72 minutes

Integration: An overview of previous weeks' learning 15 minutes
Integration: An overview of previous weeks' learning - Continued 15 minutes
Homework Activity: Building a Responsible AI by Design Strategy 25 minutes
Further Resources 15 minutes
Course Summary 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 45 minutes

Graded Final Assessment 45 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 15 minutes

Reflective Activity: What Will You Do with this Knowledge? 15 minutes

What's included

1 reading

Instructors

Shannon Vallor

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course 4 learners

Professor Ewa Luger

The University of Edinburgh

2 Courses 4,013 learners

Offered by

The University of Edinburgh

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