Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) (ocw.mit.edu)

A new course titled "Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing" has been introduced, aiming to integrate the technical aspects of machine learning with ethical considerations in technology design. Authored by an interdisciplinary team, the course covers fundamental machine learning principles while emphasizing the societal impacts of seemingly technical design decisions. Students engage in weekly labs where they collaborate, discuss their findings, and tackle SERC (Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing) questions that connect technical content to broader social consequences, particularly around issues like bias and fairness in AI. This initiative is significant for the AI/ML community as it highlights the importance of ethical training alongside technical education. By fostering critical discussions on dataset creation, algorithmic fairness, and the social ramifications of AI systems, the course aims to prepare future engineers and researchers to make informed decisions that can minimize harm and promote equity. Through case studies on topics such as algorithmic bias in health care and criminal justice reform, students are encouraged to evaluate the implications of their work, ultimately contributing to a more socially responsible approach to technology development.