UNESCO and LG AI Research Launch Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI

20 July 2026
Last update:21 July 2026

Seoul, 20 July 2026: UNESCO and LG AI Research launched the Global MOOC on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, at theEthics by Design: Industry and Innovation Conferenceheld at the Korean National Commission for UNESCO premises in Seoul. Hosted on Coursera, the massive open online course is free, globally accessible to learners worldwide

The launch ceremony took place in the presence of Prof. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General, UNESCO; Dr. Kyung Hoon Bae, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea; and Dr. Woohyung Lim, Head of LG AI Research. They were joined by leaders from government, industry, and academia, along with the course’s module leads and members of the project’s International Advisory Group.

• © UNESCO/Park
• © UNESCO/Park
• © UNESCO/Park

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The MOOC is grounded in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, adopted unanimously by  UNESCO’s 193 Member States in 2021 as the first global normative instrument on AI ethics. Its launch marks a shift in translating UNESCO’s ethical principles into practical knowledge and skills for those developing, deploying and governing AI systems. 

Principles alone do not build ethical AI, people do. Through this course, UNESCO is taking the next step in its leadership on AI ethics, translating the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence into practical learning that empowers people to apply ethical principles throughout the AI lifecycle. This is how we move from shared commitments to meaningful action

Prof. Khaled El-EnanyDirector-General, UNESCO

A course for everyone working with AI

The MOOC is designed for technologists, researchers, policymakers, students, and any professional whose work touches AI. It introduces learners to the core principles of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and equips them to apply an ethics-by-design approach in the systems they build, deploy, or regulate

This open online course will serve as a global public good that enables people across borders and generations to learn about and practice AI ethics. The Korean government will continue to work closely with UNESCO and the international community to contribute to human-centred AI development and broader digital inclusion

Dr. Kyung Hoon BaeDeputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea

Shaped for a global audience, by global experts

The course has been co-developed with LG AI Research, whose commitment to ethical AI innovation has helped shape a rigorous, forward-looking curriculum. Coursera has also joined as a partner, opening the doors of the course to learners in every corner of the world. The initiative reflects a flagship model of public-private partnership for ethical AI, demonstrating how leading technology companies can move towards co-creating global public goods that help operationalise ethical AI.

The curriculum has been shaped by a several eminent global AI experts—independent, as well as from leading institutions across the world. Together, they bring a diverse and contextual lens to understanding AI ethics, ensuring the perspectives, examples, and case studies reflect a range of regional realities and professional experiences

Through UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the international community has forged a shared consensus on what ethical AI should be; what’s missing is the practice. The real work is to carry ethics through the entire lifecycle—from product development to service operation. We hope this MOOC gives working developers and researchers the practical foundation to build a trustworthy AI ecosystem, and turns responsible innovation into an industry-wide habit rather than an aspiration.

Dr. Woohyung LimPresident, LG AI Research

© UNESCO/Park

Dialogue on operationalising ethical AI

The launch event featured panel discussions and presentations bringing together perspectives from industry, government, academia, and international organisations on operationalising ethical AI

The first panel featured Mr. Youchul Kim (LG AI Research), Dr. Georgina Curto Rex (United Nations University Institute in Macau), Dr. Shion Guha (University of Toronto), Dr. Myuhng-Joo Kim (Korea AI Safety Institute) and Miriam Chun (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology).  The panel highlighted that high-impact AI must be supported by clear evidence of safety, fairness and accountability, alongside stronger practical skills for those who design, deploy and govern these systems.

Following this, the second panel featured Mr. Myoungshin Kim (LG AI Research), Ms. Jinhwa Ha (Kakao), Mr. Woochul Park (Naver) and Ms. Maha Jouini (Agence Francophone et Africaine de l’Intelligence Artificielle-AFRIA). The key takeaway was that ethical AI must be built into everyday product decisions through clear governance structures, context-sensitive design, human-rights safeguards and transparent communication with the public.

Free, flexible, and open to everyone

The MOOC is freely available on Coursera, and learners are eligible for certification upon completion. It forms part of a broader UNESCO commitment to democratise education in AI ethics: a course shaped by global experts, designed for a global audience, and made freely accessible to everyone

UNESCO has helped define standards for responsible AI usage, and today, we’re honored to welcome UNESCO to the Coursera platform with the launch of the Global MOOC on the Ethics of AI. This free course, developed with LG AI Research, will help learners and institutions around the world make more informed decisions about how AI is designed, deployed, and governed. Together, we’re expanding global access to high-quality education on one of the most important issues of our time.

Ms. Marni Baker SteinChief Content Officer, Coursera

The course is delivered primarily in English, with translation options in 11 languages, for inclusive, and global engagement

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Source: www.unesco.org