Ethics and Governance of Technology Innovation
Overview
This unit examines the governance of digital technologies and their ethical implications, with a focus on contemporary technologies such as AI. Students will explore ethical frameworks, sustainability issues, and relevant industry standards. The unit analyses governance mechanisms and addresses socio-technical challenges. It also considers the development of professional and ethical responsibility, effective communication within the ICT sector, and evaluates regulatory obligations. This unit is important for students as it provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of digital technology, ensuring they can make informed and responsible decisions as a professional.
Requisites
OR
Admission to the Bachelor of Business Artificial Intelligence
31-May-2026
01-November-2026
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Analyse an organisation's ICT governance requirements on innovation to strengthen its strategic posture whilst maintaining an adherence to ethical and sustainability principles
- Evaluate how an IT function's structure, processes, and practices support effective ICT governance, including the management of AI, ethical considerations, and innovation
- Analyse real-world ICT governance cases, including ethical dilemmas and the impact of AI, and recommend solutions based on relevant theory, frameworks, and practice
- Assess regulatory obligations and industry standards in the context of ICT governance, ethics, and sustainable practices
- Communicate effectively and professionally as either a leader or a member of a team
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
On-campus Class |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Online Lecture (asynchronous) |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
9.5 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Total | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 40-60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Assignment 2 | Group | 40-60% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Professional technology ethics and standards including ACS Code of Professional Ethics, ACS Code of Professional Conduct and IEEE Code of Ethics.
- Ethical considerations and responsible decision-making in the design, development, and deployment of socio-technical systems.
- Case studies on ethical dilemmas including AI and emerging technologies.
- Regulatory compliance and governance including governance frameworks for AI and emerging technologies.
- Risk Management including ethical breaches and AI-related risks.
- Change Management and organisational structures for effective governance of technology.
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as a framework to assess a company's sustainability and ethical impact.
- Cross-cultural communication and global technology issues.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.