Capstone: Your Ethics Framework

Building Your Framework

In the previous lesson, we explored responsible practices. Now let’s build on that foundation. You’ve explored the landscape. Now it’s time to synthesize what you’ve learned into a personal guide—a framework you can apply to any AI ethics question you face.

This isn’t about memorizing rules. It’s about knowing your values and how to apply them.

Framework Components

A useful AI ethics framework has:

1. Core Values: What matters most to you?
2. Practical Guidelines: How you’ll handle common situations
3. Key Questions: What to ask when you’re uncertain
4. Clear Boundaries: What you won’t do, regardless of convenience

Step 1: Define Your Core Values

From the course, which principles resonate most?

Pick 3-4 values that are central to your framework.

These become your compass for decisions the framework doesn’t explicitly cover.

Step 2: Develop Practical Guidelines

Based on your typical AI use, develop guidelines:

For data and privacy:

• I will not share [what categories?] with AI tools
• I will anonymize [when?]
• I will verify privacy policies for [which use cases?]

For transparency:

• I will disclose AI use when [which situations?]
• I will not claim pure human authorship when [what threshold?]
• I will be explicit about AI involvement for [what audiences?]

For verification:

• I will verify all factual claims when [stakes level?]
• I will never use unverified AI output for [what categories?]
• I will cross-reference with primary sources for [what topics?]

For decision-making:

• I will maintain human judgment for [which decisions?]
• I will use AI only as advisor for [what categories?]
• I will not delegate to AI decisions about [what areas?]

Step 3: Create Key Questions

Questions to ask when facing ethical uncertainty:

Impact questions:

• Who’s affected by this AI use?
• What’s the worst case if this goes wrong?
• Would those affected be comfortable with this?

Transparency questions:

• Would I be comfortable if this became public?
• Am I comfortable explaining how this decision was made?
• Is anyone being misled?

Responsibility questions:

• Am I taking responsibility for this output/decision?
• Would I defend this choice to someone I respect?
• Am I doing this because it’s right, or because it’s convenient?

Verification questions:

• How confident am I in this output’s accuracy?
• What would I lose by being wrong?
• Have I verified what needs verification?

Step 4: Draw Clear Boundaries

Some things shouldn’t be negotiable:

Complete the sentence: “I will not use AI to…”

Quick check: Before moving on, can you recall the key concept we just covered? Try to explain it in your own words before continuing.

• …make decisions about people’s lives without human judgment
• …spread information I haven’t verified on important topics
• …deceive people in ways that matter
• …process others’ data without appropriate authorization
• …[your additions]

Boundaries are clearest when set in advance, not when you’re tempted to cross them.

Step 5: Plan for Edge Cases

You’ll face situations your guidelines don’t clearly cover.

When that happens:

1. Return to your core values
2. Ask your key questions
3. Consider: What would a thoughtful person I respect do?
4. If still uncertain, seek input before proceeding
5. Document your reasoning

Putting It Together: Framework Template

MY AI ETHICS FRAMEWORK

CORE VALUES:
1. [Value 1]: Because [why it matters to you]
2. [Value 2]: Because [why]
3. [Value 3]: Because [why]

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES:

Privacy/Data:
- [Your guideline]
- [Your guideline]

Transparency:
- [Your guideline]
- [Your guideline]

Verification:
- [Your guideline]
- [Your guideline]

Human Judgment:
- [Your guideline]
- [Your guideline]

KEY QUESTIONS (when uncertain):
1. [Question]
2. [Question]
3. [Question]

BOUNDARIES (what I won't do):
- [Boundary]
- [Boundary]
- [Boundary]

EDGE CASE PROTOCOL:
When guidelines don't clearly apply:
1. Return to core values
2. Ask key questions
3. Seek input if still uncertain
4. Document reasoning

Course Summary

Across eight lessons, you’ve explored:

1. The Ethics Landscape — Why AI ethics matters in everyday use
2. Understanding Bias — Where it comes from and how to recognize it
3. Privacy and Data — Protecting yourself and others
4. Transparency — When and how to disclose AI use
5. Human Judgment — What AI shouldn’t decide
6. Critical Evaluation — How to not trust blindly
7. Responsible Practices — Building ethical habits
8. Your Framework — A personal guide for decisions

The Ongoing Practice

Ethics isn’t a destination. It’s an ongoing practice.

Continue to:

• Apply your framework
• Reflect on difficult decisions
• Update your thinking as AI evolves
• Stay curious about emerging issues
• Share what you learn with others

Final Thoughts

AI is transformative technology. How we use it—individually and collectively—shapes what that transformation looks like.

You can’t control what everyone does. But you can control your choices.

Using AI responsibly isn’t about being perfect or pessimistic. It’s about being thoughtful. Asking questions. Considering impacts. Taking responsibility.

That’s not a burden. It’s just good practice—with AI or anything else.

Exercise: Write Your Framework

Using the template above, create your personal AI ethics framework.

1. Choose your 3-4 core values
2. Write 2-3 guidelines for each major area
3. List 3-5 key questions for uncertainty
4. Define your clear boundaries
5. Keep this somewhere you’ll reference it

Your framework will evolve. Start with something, then refine as you encounter real situations.

Moving Forward

You’ve completed the course. Now the real work begins.

Apply what you’ve learned. Build the habits. Use AI well.

And when you make mistakes—because you will—learn from them and do better.

That’s all any of us can do.