Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI can feel daunting. But as public servants, understanding the societal and economic implications of this technology — and adapting to them — has never been more important.
The good news is, you don’t need a tech background to build a strong understanding of AI. This self-paced course includes lectures and educational content from Stanford faculty, instructors, and fellows at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence that will help you understand the opportunities and impact of AI in government. You’ll also find insights from Apolitical and our network of public servants.
You’ll start by getting to grips with the technology — how it works, its capabilities and risks. You’ll review current AI regulations and be challenged to consider how they might change. You’ll be introduced to Human-centred AI as a framework for how governments and society can leverage the technology for better, more ethical outcomes. Finally, you’ll analyse use cases from key sectors and consider how their learnings can be applied to future initiatives.
What do other public servants say about the course?
'This course has been invaluable in deepening my understanding of AI ethics and data governance, providing practical insights and frameworks that will enhance my ability to communicate AI research responsibly and effectively. The knowledge gained will significantly inform my approach to ethical decision-making and transparent communication in my professional practice.'
— Public Servant, Canada
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Explain how the technology behind AI works
Analyse the trust, fairness, privacy and ethical risks of AI
Investigate the impacts of an AI use case by applying a human-centred lens
Distinguish how AI can enhance government work
Use key lessons from AI experiments across sectors to inform future initiatives

