Certification course to train legal and tech professionals in digital ethics

Management training in the ethical and legal challenges of AI, data and digital technology 

Certification course to train legal and tech professionals in digital ethics

After the success of the “Digital Masterclass in Human Rights – Digital Ethics Officer” by Seraphin Legal in January 2021, the EDHEC Augmented Law Institute is launching a certification course entitled “Digital Ethics Officer* (DEO): Managing the ethical and legal challenges of AI and data” in partnership with Legaltech, the Association Française des Juristes d’Entreprise (AFJE), GOVERN&LAW and the IDFRights association.

The course is due to begin in the spring of 2022. Applications are now open.

“Digital Ethics Officer*”: a flourishing career 

Ethics has been a recent preoccupation in the world of digital technology, and this is now gathering pace in the media, across society and in organizations. In April 2021 the European Commission revealed its proposal for a Regulation in favour of artificial intelligence based on excellence and trust, which provides for risky technologies being identified and made to comply with strict obligations before being released on the market. “In the future, only those with the right training will be in a position to implement the regulations and promote digital technologies that are ethical and compatible with our democratic societies,” explains Christophe Roquilly, Director of the EDHEC Augmented Law Institute.

It is in this context that the decision was made to create the certification course “Digital Ethics Officer – Managing the legal and ethical challenges of AI and data”.

The only certification course of its kind on the market

Unlike certification courses for DPOs (Data Protection Officer), which mainly relate to legal techniques, this course provides the basis to tackle any AI or data project with an ethical approach in respect of fundamental rights. 

Through their partnership with EDHEC, AFJE, Seraphin Legal, GOVERN&LAW and IDFRights support the innovative and pioneering nature of this course. Each partner is involved in the programme’s academic committee, chaired by Björn Fasterling, Professor of Law at EDHEC Business School and researcher at the EDHEC Augmented Law Institute who specialises in ethics and fundamental rights applied to organizations. 

“The role of the academic committee is to ensure that course participants can be certified by EDHEC Business School after completing a programme that tackles the most salient ethical challenges and regulatory obligations in terms of fundamental rights, while being mindful of the realities organizations face,” explains Prof. Fasterling.

70% practical, 30% theoretical 

The course tackles the general framework of fundamental rights applied to the digital world, data and AI (privacy, arbitrary processing, algorithmic discrimination). To provide tangible responses to professionals, it also covers the governance of fundamental rights, the current context and the regulatory changes expected in the future, as well as the ethical implementation of projects. 

Objective: 30 professionals selected based on their application, with the course due to begin in the spring of 2022

The ambition is for 30 legal professionals, DPOs, consultants and experts in digital technology to have earned their certificate in digital ethics by the summer of 2022:

• Legal experts and lawyers, whether or not they work in digital and data law (contract law, business law, etc.) 
• Tech professionals: innovators, consultants
• Other professionals will face challenges linked to data, compliance, etc.: DPOs, compliance officers, business or transformation managers, regulators, etc. 
• Public sector professionals in charge of digital projects 

The number of places is limited to ensure high-quality teaching.

A clear promise made to all candidates

• For legal professionals, the aim is to develop their knowledge of the use of technology, AI and data so they have the capacity to assess risk levels and digital compliance in respect of the new legal, ethical and digital standards, adapt their strategies to company values and put in place a veritable data governance structure.
• Tech professionals will be equipped to establish a framework, tools and a method to support the ethical rollout of digital technology in a way that respects fundamental rights, as well as acquire new skills with a view to creating or adapting the user settings for the technologies rolled out.

Course structure compatible with professional activities 

The course will run over a period of 4 months, comprising 16 classes each lasting 1.5 hours. These will take place by live videoconference and will be accessible via replay. All sessions will be run at lunchtime to ensure compatibility with the work schedule of participants.

These remote classes will be complemented by 3 masterclasses/conferences on site in Paris (also accessible via streaming), with prestigious guest speakers from the professional and academic worlds.

To ensure the success of their professional projects, participants will also be able to benefit from career support from the Legal Talent Advisors at the EDHEC Business School Career Centre and RH Atorus Executive.

Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3qi3fX2