Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence: Ethics and Policy 7.5 credits

About the course

Recent years have seen rapid progress in the development of artificial intelligent systems. This class will address ethical and societal questions arising from the increasing presence of these systems in our lives, such as: Artificial intelligence allows companies and governments to collect and analyse unprecedented amounts of data about us. How does the use of these data for surveillance and manipulation threaten our autonomy and privacy? How do we prevent artificial intelligences from acquiring morally objectionable biases? Who is responsible for the decisions of autonomous automated weapons? What ethical rules should self-driving cars implement? Will artificial intelligence make most human jobs superfluous, and would this be bad? And might superintelligent artificial systems threaten the very existence of humanity?

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Autumn 2026
- Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence: Ethics and Policy
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT26 / Varied / English / Web-based (online)
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  2 November 2026
  
  Ends
  17 January 2027
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  No mandatory meetings
  
  Other meetings
  None
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-13004
  
  Outline for distance course
  
  Mandadory online meetings for instruction and examination may be included.
  
  For the course, a computer (Windows 11 or macOS) as well as a headset and an external webcam (e.g. tablet or mobile phone) are recommended. The possibilities of using the learning platform Canvas via mobile or tablet are limited. Chrome is the recommended web browser.
  
  Eligibility
  
  90 ECTS credits in philosophy, computer science, history, sociology, political science, cognitive science or equivalent, or a Degree encompassing at least 180 ECTS credits, or equivalent (previous higher education studies in at least one of the subjects listed is highly recommended). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits awarded by application deadline (HPAV 30-285 ECTS)
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 12,075
  
  Total fee: SEK 12,075
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence: Ethics and Policy
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  2 November 2026
  
  Ends
  17 January 2027
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-13005
  
  Eligibility
  
  90 ECTS credits in philosophy, computer science, history, sociology, political science, cognitive science or equivalent, or a Degree encompassing at least 180 ECTS credits, or equivalent (previous higher education studies in at least one of the subjects listed is highly recommended). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits awarded by application deadline (HPAV 30-285 ECTS)
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 12,075
  
  Total fee: SEK 12,075
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

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