Minor: Applied Ai and Ethics
Enroll in this minor

Self-driving cars, facial recognition, scanning tissue for cancer cells, voice assistants and chat GPT. AI is everywhere. And there is a growing desire to use it across all sectors. But how do we ensure that the technology has a positive impact on our society? With the minor in Applied AI and Ethics, you will learn about the technology behind AI and how to ask the right questions, such as how to protect people's privacy, freedom and security.

The upside and downside of AI

AI is the part of computer science that deals with creating machines that react in a human way. The list of things a computer can now do as well or better than a human is growing rapidly. The possibilities are endless. Both in a positive and negative way. AI can contribute to innovation and efficiency in various sectors, perform complex tasks and process large amounts of data. On the other hand, there are concerns about privacy, possible discrimination by algorithms, the development of independent weapons and the disappearance of jobs.

Have your say on safe artificial intelligence

Regulations, ethical guidelines and dialogue are incredibly important to ensure that AI is developed and applied in a safe way. Not just globally, but also at European and national level. Right down to your own classroom. Are you thinking about artificial intelligence as a future career? Then apply for the new minor in Applied AI and Ethics.

Structure of the minor Applied Ai and Ethics

You will have lessons from several teachers. There will be theory lessons, guest lectures from experts and group discussions. You will work independently or in groups on a project related to AI.

With the Applied AI and Ethics minor, depending on the assignment you work on, you will contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

  • SDG 5: Gender equality and SDG 10: Reducing inequality.
    By using and developing AI in an ethical way, we can contribute to reducing inequality. Think about addressing bias and ensuring that AI applications are fair and unbiased, which in turn helps promote gender equality, for example.
  • SDG 13: Climate action
    Ethical considerations in the development and use of AI can help promote sustainable and responsible climate action.

With this minor, you will learn the following:

  • Connection between Ai philosophy and ethics and your (future) profession
    You are able to apply Ai, philosophy and ethics to situations in your future profession.
  • Engaging in philosophical and ethical conversations related to Ai
    You are able to learn to communicate about complex, ethical Ai issues.
  • Online learning: the ethics of Ai
    You understand why there are concerns about the ethical use and development of artificial intelligence. You are able to apply theory in the field of ethics.
  • Technology
    You understand the potential and limitations of the technology behind Ai. You are able to determine when and when not to use it and know how to deploy it properly in a legal and ethical way.
  • Run a project on Ai - data engineering and ethics
    You know how to use and integrate ethics in all phases of the Ai and data engineering project.

This is what your week looks like:

  • On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, you are present at the HZ ( location Vlissingen or Middelburg)
  • On Wednesdays and Fridays, you are working independently on assignments

There is no required literature for this minor.

The following test applies to this minor:

Criteria based interview (CGI) based on portfolio (100%)

The portfolio addresses the 5 learning objectives in different ways:
  • Completion of various tasks
  • Reports on interview techniques
  • Reports on online learning materials
  • Description of the project
After submitting your portfolio, you will meet with your tutor to discuss it.

Practical information

AI affects all sectors, from healthcare and education to IT and engineering. Therefore, this minor is of interest to students from all programmes and all universities of applied sciences. The working language of the minor is English. We want to make the minor as accessible as possible to all students, so please contact one of the lecturers if you have any difficulties.

You must have completed the propaedeutic phase and 30 credits in the main phase.

The minor lasts from September 2025 to January 2026. You can apply from March 2025.

Are you studying at the HZ? Then you can apply on this page. Are you studying at another higher education institution? Then you can apply via Kies op Maat.

Vincent de Rooij

Lecturer minor Applied AI and Ethics

Questions about this minor?

Do you have any questions? Or would you like to discuss whether this minor suits you? Feel free to contact Vincent de Rooij, lecturer minor Applied AI and Ethics.

Mail Vincent

Register for this minor

HZ student

Are you studying at HZ and would you like to register for this minor? You can do so by registering for both the minor and for the tests.

Register for minor Register for tests

Student from another Dutch university of applied sciences or student from our international partner universities

Are you studying at another Dutch university of applied sciences and would you like to take this minor at HZ? Then register via Kies op Maat.

If you have been selected by your home university to study one or two semesters at the HZ, you may start your application by registering through our online application procedure.

Go to Kies op Maat (Dutch university) Read more about the application procedure (exchange students)
A minor showing their course during the minor day

Discover your future minor on 6 February 2025!

Want to know more about taking a minor? Come to the minor market on Thursday 6 February and find out which minors you can take at HZ. Attend one of the information sessions for all the information you need.

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