Online Delivery of Discussion-Oriented Postsecondary Classes during Critical Health Scenarios, Educating Responsible Computer Scientists towards Improved Societal Trust in Artificial Intelligence

This paper discusses how upper year postsecondary computer science students being educated on social responsibility and AI ethics may benefit from online options for delivery of classes, within discussion-based courses. We reflect on the relationship between empathy, AI social responsibility and online learning, including insights provided by published work on these topics. We draw insights from a course offered in Spring 2022, where students had the opportunity to experience both in-person and online classes, when being educated on social implications of computing. Included are a few recommendations for future efforts to support online classes during times of critical health scenarios.