Responsible AI in Practice | Legal and Ethical Perspectives

Kick-off: introduction to AI’s ethical & legal implications (online)

During the kick-off session, you will explore your expectations and connect with the programme moderator and fellow participants.

You will gain an initial understanding of why ethical and legal considerations are becoming increasingly important in the context of artificial intelligence. The session introduces the key questions that arise when AI systems are implemented in professional environments and explains why addressing these questions is essential for responsible innovation and sound professional practice.

To help you start your learning journey with confidence, the session concludes with a short demonstration of the online learning platform.

Module 1: Ethics & AI in practice

Online learning module 1

In this first online module, you are introduced to the foundational principles of ethics in the context of artificial intelligence. You will explore how statistical and moral biases can shape AI technologies and learn how to critically assess the ethical implications of AI across different domains. You will also examine how risks associated with AI can be categorized and understood.

A central part of the module focuses on Human-Centered AI (HCAI), including concepts such as trust, human agency, transparency, and control. You will learn why adopting a human-centered perspective is essential for the responsible development of AI systems. Finally, the module explores automation and human augmentation, helping you understand how AI affects the interaction between humans and intelligent technologies.

In-person workshop 1

The guiding question throughout this workshop is practical: how can you actively work with ethics in a way that strengthens your professional practice rather than slowing it down?

Instead of returning to abstract theory, you will work with recognizable situations in which AI systems influence decisions, interactions, and organizational processes.

In the first part, you will engage with the “guidance ethics approach” as a practical way of working with AI. Rather than focusing on whether technology should be used, the emphasis is on identifying the conditions under which it can be used responsibly. Starting from concrete applications, you will analyze who is involved, what effects may arise, and where meaningful choices can be made. You will develop a clearer sense of your own agency: what can you influence as a professional, and where can you adjust practices, clarify responsibilities, or reshape the context in which AI is used?

In the second part, the focus shifts to the organizational level. You will explore what is needed to establish an ethical approach to AI that is shared, actionable, and sustainable. This includes translating values into workable policies, involving the right stakeholders, and moving from reflection to concrete action.

The workshop combines interactive reflection, exchange of experiences, and practical exercises. You will leave with concrete insights and clear entry points for embedding ethics into your professional and organizational practice.

Module 2: Legal framework & governance

Online learning module 2

As AI technologies evolve rapidly, the need for robust regulatory frameworks becomes increasingly important. These frameworks aim to reduce risks while enabling innovation.

In this module, you will examine how legal systems attempt to strike this balance. You will explore the key elements that shape AI regulation and governance, and how different stakeholders influence the design, development, and deployment of AI systems.

The module also addresses responsibility and liability when AI systems cause harm or produce incorrect outcomes. In addition, you will analyze how AI interacts with fundamental rights, including privacy, non-discrimination, and due process.

In-person workshop 2

This workshop builds on the online module and provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks shaping AI development and deployment.

You will begin by exploring why and how AI is regulated, considering both its role as an economic driver and as a societal force. You will then examine how AI both influences and is influenced by EU policy, including data legislation, the EU Strategy for Data, and recent initiatives such as the Digital Omnibus. Particular attention is given to the AI Act, including its risk categories and key provisions.

The workshop then focuses on AI governance in the EU, with fundamental rights and European values at its core. You will explore challenges related to increasingly autonomous systems, including accountability, human oversight, and AI literacy. Concrete examples will help you connect these concepts to everyday professional practice.

In a third part, you will examine the ecological impact of AI systems. You will explore what is currently known, what remains uncertain, and how these considerations relate to broader EU sustainability goals and regulatory approaches.

The workshop concludes with a practical exercise in which you apply regulatory concepts to a real-world scenario, encouraging critical reflection and informed discussion.

Closing session: conclusion & practice

In the final session, you will bring together the ethical and legal perspectives explored throughout the training.

You will reflect on the key insights gained and discuss how to apply them in your own professional context. Through guided reflection and peer exchange, you will identify concrete opportunities to integrate responsible AI practices into your daily work and organizational processes.

The session also allows you to revisit your initial expectations and evaluate how your understanding of AI’s ethical and legal implications has evolved.

The programme concludes with an informal networking moment, offering the opportunity to connect with peers and experts active in the fields of AI, ethics, and law.