with STEM™ CAREERS JOB KIT
AI ETHICIST
Discover this growing field helping ensure Artificial Intelligence is safe and beneficial to humanity
YOU CAN PREPARE THE WORLD FOR AN AI-ENABLED FUTURE with us
As AI replaces laborious tasks across society, an urgent need has arisen for technology and fresh thinking to combat technology’s downsides. Macquarie University is leading the way, with our cybersecurity experts inventing Apate, a multilingual chatbot designed to prolong fake calls with scammers, to reduce the scale of financial losses inflicted daily by global criminals.
Our researchers are also asking the big questions: how to prepare workplaces by helping people to understand AI’s strengths and weaknesses; and how humans can make effective decisions without mastery in tasks that underpin such decision-making – tasks that are now increasingly completed by machines.
When you enrol in one of our IT degrees, you’ll be learning from world-leading AI researchers. You’ll be studying a future-focused curriculum developed in consultation with industry, which allows you to specialise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game design and development, information systems and business analysis, networking, software technology solutions, or web and mobile app development.
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Macquarie are ranked in the world’s top 50 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
Your learning will be enhanced by our new 14-lab computing precinct with VR space and cybersecurity, networking and gaming labs.
You will also study in Australia’s largest high-tech precinct, offering the potential for collaborative, internship and employment opportunities.
ARE YOU READY FOR AN AI-ENABLED FUTURE?
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Cameron Edmond Lecturer in Game Development (Computing), Macquarie University
i’ve
Get in the game
As a game developer and former journalist, I’ve always been curious about the ethics of new technology. And with the advent and widespread use of new AI models we need more people who are informed about how such tools are used.
Along with learning about how AI tools work, students at Macquarie are guided toward informed decisions about using them. This is what is going to drive change and allow us to work towards a future of ethical AI.
Working in game design alongside academia has allowed me to merge theoretical principles with hands-on experience. While AI and data analysis aren’t necessarily games-based, there is a lot of overlap with the principles of game design.
Macquarie’s Bachelor of Game Design and Development gives our students the space to
explore their ideas while equipping them with the technical skills to make it possible. Like many other fields, AI is rapidly becoming an important, revolutionary tool that will reshape the game design industry.
As a lecturer, I am not just a facilitator of technical skills and creative thinking, but also a guide in navigating the ethical implications of these advancements.
In this rapidly changing landscape, I am committed to helping the next generation of game developers, ensuring they are well-equipped to shape the future of interactive storytelling responsibly and creatively.
Cameron Edmond Lecturer in Game Development (Computing), Macquarie University
AN EYE FOR ETHICS
Is exactly what’s needed in artificial intelligence!
Get the basics
Who: An AI ethicist
What: Someone who specialises in the ethics around AI development and implementation, plus studies and identifies ethical or moral issues that may arise. They present their findings to governments and businesses to help them make informed decisions. Mixing their understanding of ethics with tech skills makes them extremely valuable as AI systems advance, gain autonomy and new concerns come into play.
When: We need AI ethicists now! But don’t worry, it’s set to be an in-demand career going forward too. The 100 Jobs of the Future report places ‘robot ethicist’ in the top technology jobs of the future. That role involves looking at ethical issues associated with artificial intelligence, robots, cyborg technologies, and augmented/virtual reality.
Where: AI ethicists work for governments, tech companies, research institutions and businesses.
Why: We need to make sure new tech is safe and beneficial to humanity, with ethics built in from the beginning. It’s also crucial that AI systems follow the law, otherwise there can be legal consequences for those making and using the tech. AI ethicists can come up with development guidelines and standards too, so issues can be caught early in the development process – saving an organisation time, money and harm to their reputation and protecting those that their work impacts.
How: To become an AI ethicist, you’ll need to study artificial intelligence at uni. Macquarie University has an excellent Artificial Intelligence major, which you can take as part of the Bachelor of Information Technology. To further explore ethical and legal questions surrounding the use of AI, consider a double major of AI + Philosophy or AI + Applied Ethics.
Macquarie University ranks 35 in the world* for studying philosophy so it’s the place to be for the philosophy and computing skills stellar AI ethicists need!
Find out more: bit.ly/majAIMQU
Real life scenarios
Here are two examples of where an AI ethicist could have been a good hire as they would have predicted the implications of the systems these companies used
Kmart and Bunnings rolled out facial recognition software to reduce theft, then stopped due to privacy law concerns.
recruiting tool that showed bias towards male candidates.
AI by the numbers
There are SO many ways for an AI ethicist to make their mark!
A$22 trillion how much the CSIRO estimates that developing and commercialising AI will add to the global economy by 2030.
A$3.6 billion
Australian spending on AI systems will grow to this amount by 2025.
90%
the percentage of employers who envision their companies becoming AI-driven by 2028.
84%
the percentage of Australian knowledge workers already using or experimenting with generative AI (like ChatGPT) in the workplace.
Skills that pay the bills
AI specialist
$61K-$153K
Ethics officer
$76K-$105K*
*Salaries sourced Payscale/Glassdoorfrom
Top 3 AI areas
The Australian Government is focusing on these areas of AI to transform existing industries and build new ones.
1AI for better health, aged care and disability services
2AI for better towns, cities and infrastructure
3AI for better natural resource management
No doubt these industries will need AI ethicists to help them along the way!
Your dream job
This is an amazing study and career path for you if:
You’re motivated by fairness and building a better future
New technology fascinates and excites you
You love working in teams
Open-mindedness, integrity and honesty are some of your best traits
You know how to effectively communicate ideas
No detail ever escapes you
You can think creatively and analytically
Emotional intelligence
Bachelor of Information Technology student Caitlyn Muscat sees both the beauty and danger in automated tech
When it comes to career planning, Caitlyn was always ahead of her time. Keen to get employable tech skills straight from high school, she sought out degrees in artificial intelligence (AI), which led her to a Bachelor of IT at Macquarie University.
At the time, Macquarie was one of the only unis offering units in automation, something which Caitlyn found out after chatting with staff at their annual Open Day.
“Talking to lecturers and professors actually shaped what I wanted to really do in AI,” she says. “I can remember one of my first lecturers talking about ideas such as ‘thinking’ and ‘intelligent’ machines and knew that it was where I wanted to go.”
Feeling it
While in her first year, exposure to original generators DALLE and Midjourney inspired Caitlyn to see AI as an artform. She became obsessed with understanding how AI artworks were created - and how they compared to human creations. Yet, it was the ethics behind the tech that particularly piqued her interest.
“I discovered my passion for AI ethics,” she said. “I found it
fundamental that AI developers became aware of what they’re creating, especially from an ethical standpoint.”
Currently halfway through her degree, Caitlyn hopes to dive deeper into this controversial topic during postgraduate study. And her dream thesis topic? Exploring the correct use of data in AI systems and whether machines really ‘think’.
“AI has the ability to stretch far beyond human control,” she says. “If I were to get into development it would be the creation of an ethical system.”
Career goals sorted. Now to get through the next assignment!
it’s fundamental that ai developers become aware of what they are creating”
caitlyn muscat AI student
Mission Possible
Macquarie University lecturer Ines Hipolito is helping organisations implement ethical AI practices
ines hipolito ethical AI champion
Ines and AI go way back - long before we all got ChatGPT. However it’s not developing the tech that excites the Macquarie University academic, it’s the philosophy behind how we use and interact with it that’s driven her pathway.
“I specialise in the intricacies of human cognition and artificial intelligence,” she says. “I explore questions about cognition, perception and intelligence.”
Day in the life…
6am
Dial into an early morning video call with my US colleagues - aligning on projects and exchanging ideas.
9am
Arrive at Macquarie University ready to tackle the day. I always start with catching up on emails and then dive into any ongoing projects.
1pm
Attend a seminar to spark knowledge and get inspiration.
3pm
Meet with colleagues to discuss scientific paper collaborations and organise upcoming conferences.
4pm
Dedicate one-on-one time to supervising my students, where I offer guidance, feedback and support.
Kickstarting her career in Germany, Ines completed a Bachelor of Philosophy, two master’s degrees and a PhD before scoring a job at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. It was then that she made the move to Sydney to do her PhD. And now? She’s a lecturer at Macquarie University — while keeping up with her other roles, which include being a startup founder!
i’m mentorshipreceiving to bring ai ethics to the market”
Best of both worlds
With a background in philosophy and neuroscience plus a passion for tech, Ines’ diverse skillset has allowed her to be a bridge-builder between disciplines.
Along with her lecturing work, she currently works as an AI ethicist at US-based cognitive computing company VERSES, where she champions ethical considerations, inclusivity and environmental responsibility into AI design.
And then there’s the startup which she founded through the Macquarie University Incubator program, which encourages entrepreneurs to grow and realise their innovations.
“It’s called Mission AI!” she says. “I’m receiving mentorship to bring AI ethics to the market - advising organisations in cultivating an ethical culture.”
Get the job!
Play
Experience the possible future of AI!
Open Sorcery
You are an Elemental Firewall - a fire element bound with C++ code - protecting a network of people and places. The character grows and learns, ‘gaining sentience’ similar to how AI learns. Play it on: Android
Portal
AI takes over! As a player, you are challenged by an AI named GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System) to escape by completing puzzles.
Play it on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3
AI Dungeon
A choose your own adventure generative AI game, where your choices help write the next steps. Play it on: Android, iPhone
Study
Studying a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in Artificial Intelligence at Macquarie Uni will give you an edge in your AI career. Or consider these course options:
• Bachelor of IT (AI + Philosophy) double major
• Bachelor of IT (AI + Applied Ethics) double major
• Bachelor of IT (AI) / Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy or Applied Ethics) double degree
Scan here to find out more
Checklist for electives
Choose these subjects follow the path of an AI ethicist: ✔ Digital Technologies ✔ Philosophy and Ethics ✔ Social Sciences
Watch
AI in focus on Netflix. Don’t forget your popcorn!
OUR CODED BIAS
Explore the bias in different AI algorithms, based on the flaws of facial recognition.
THE FUTURE OF
How can AI be applied to the way we live? Have a look at the ‘Dogs’, ‘Dating’, and ‘Sports’ episodes!
UNKNOWN: KILLER ROBOTS
Should we be applying artificial intelligence to military applications? This makes you think about what happens when a machine makes life-or-death decisions.
Listen
Podcasts for when you’re generating phrases with ChatGPT…
In Machines
We Trust
MIT Technology Review writer Jennifer Strong looks at the impact of AI on our daily lives. From house training a robot, to the future of farming from space!
Pomegranate Health - When AI Goes Wrong
Speaking on the Pomegranate Health podcast, Macquarie University academics look at what the consequences are of using AI in health.
The Bot Canon
What would happen if AI wrote all our classic books? Hannah Keefer reads a new classic text each episode, and then continues with what the AI has come up with from a prompt of the book.