CARE-AI Collaborates with CPA Ontario

CARE-AI and Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario offering a course on big data and AI ethics.

The University of Guelph’s Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI) and Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) have collaborated to offer The Ethics of Big Data and AI, a remote learning course that explores the complex challenges of big data and AI in the workplace and society.

“As technologies improve and expand, we found a high demand for a course on ethics of big data and AI. After connecting with CARE-AI early in 2020, we worked together to develop a new course that will be useful for our CPA members and the general public,” says Anne-Marie Taylor, Learning Innovation Manager with CPA Ontario.

The course supports CARE-AI’s mission to educate the public on the societal and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Collaborations with associations and organizations such as CPA Ontario speak to the increasing need for ethical AI training in our data-driven world.

“As with all disciplines that use machine learning and artificial intelligence, accountants and other professionals should consider the ethics of these applications in their day-to-day roles,” says Dr. Gus Skorburg, co-academic director (CARE-AI) and a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. 

Skorburg, who has an extensive background addressing ethical considerations related to science and technology, developed the course.

“People using AI applications are not just developers and engineers – they’re everyday professionals. This course will allow registrants to explore important concepts such as responsibility, accountability, and bias.”

CARE-AI is building its network and has established many cross-disciplinary partnerships since its launch in 2018, reflecting the extensive demand for an ethical perspective to inform AI activities. While the collaboration with CPA Ontario and the Centre is unique, the CARE-AI leadership team expect a growing demand for these types of partnerships and intend to expand their expertise offerings.

“We plan to continue collaborations with CPA Ontario and other organizations to develop learning opportunities that bring our faculty expertise to pressing ethical AI issues within the community at large,” says Carter Cousineau, managing director (CARE-AI).

“CARE-AI, as its name suggests, embeds the study of ethics and ethical engagement all through the academic and professional journey. We want to continue the dialogue for individuals to work ethically with AI throughout all career stages.”