Responsible Innovation: Ethics, Safety and Technology
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
  • Start Date: 10 Oct, 2017
  • Self-Paced
  • Study Content: Videos


How to deal with risks and ethical questions raised by development of new technologies.

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: 50.00 USD

Introduction

Introduction Video

Course Description

This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and Edx partnership.

There is no doubt that technological innovation is one of the key elements driving human progress.


However, new technologies also raise ethical questions, have serious implications for society and the environment and pose new risks, often unknown and unknowable before the new technologies reach maturity. They may even lead to radical disruptions. Just think about robots, self-driving vehicles, medical engineering and the Internet of Things.


They are strongly dependent on social acceptance and cannot escape public debates of regulation and ethics. If we want to innovate, we have to do that responsibly. We need to reflect on –and include- our societal values in this process. This course will give you a framework to do so.


The first part of the course focuses on ethical questions/framework and concerns with respect to new technologies.


The second part deals with (unknown) risks and safety of new technologies including a number of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods.


The last part of the course is about the new, value driven, design process which take into account our societal concerns and conflicting values.


Case studies (ethical concerns, risks) for reflection and discussions during the course include – among others- nanotechnology, self-driving vehicles, robots, AI smart meters for electricity, autonomous weapons, nuclear energy and CO2capture and coolants. Affordable (frugal) innovations for low-income groups and emerging markets are also covered in the course. You can test and discuss your viewpoint.


The course is for all engineering students who are looking for a methodical approach to judge responsible innovations from a broader – societal- perspective.

Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Delft University of Technology is the largest and oldest technological university in the Netherlands. Our research is inspired by the desire to increase fundamental understanding, as well as by societal challenges. We encourage our students to be independent thinkers so they will become engineers capable of solving complex problems. Our students have chosen Delft University of Technology because of our reputation for quality education and research.

This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with Edx.

You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
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Effective Date: September 22, 2016