Introduction to Digital Minds
How plausible are digital minds, how might we recognise one, and what would their existence mean for ethics, governance, and society?
Applications for our Autumn/Winter 2026 cohort are now closed. Applicants will hear from us about the outcome of their application soon.
Introduction to Digital Minds is a free, 8-week online course. Each week participants work through short readings and exercises and take part in facilitated small-group discussions with a cohort of peers from a range of backgrounds and disciplines.
What You'll Learn
Developed in collaboration with experts from Cambridge, New York University, Oxford, PRISM, Eleos AI, and beyond. This course covers:
Introduction and Moral Standing
What we're talking about when we talk about digital minds, and why it may matter now
Theories of Consciousness
Challenges and theories to understanding consciousness, and how these may or may not apply to artificial systems
Testing for Consciousness and Other Mental States
Current approaches to evaluating consciousness and other mental states, and how to assess the results
Perceptions of Consciousness
How people perceive and relate to AI models, and what the effects and implications of this are
Interactions with AI Safety and Ethics
How perceptions of and consideration for digital minds can both support and create tension with other AI safety and ethics issues
Practical Approaches Under Uncertainty
Practical frameworks for working under uncertainty, and some actions companies are taking now
Digital Minds Governance
Approaches to governing digital minds, from prevention to protection and integration, and how these may play out
Reflections and Next Steps
Drawing together learnings from the course, and identifying useful contributions you could make to the emerging field
Who Should Apply?
We're seeking participants with some grounding in AI and AI safety/ethics, and potential to shape these conversations.
We're hoping to welcome a diverse group of students to the course. Whether you're a researcher, engineer, policymaker, journalist, lawyer or an interested individual, we encourage you to apply when applications next open.
Course Format
Programme
8 Weeks
- Reading 2-3 hours of reading and preparation per week
- Discussion 1.5 hours of facilitated group discussion each week
- Community Access to a growing community of people studying and working on these questions
- Dates 12 October to 11 December 2026, fully online
- Certificate A certificate of completion from Cambridge Digital Minds. This is not a University of Cambridge course and carries no academic credit
Applications Closed
Applications for the Autumn/Winter 2026 cohort closed on 13 September 2026. Applicants will hear from us about the outcome of their application soon.
Join Our NewsletterQuestions? Email online-course@digitalminds.cam. Due to a high volume of enquiries, responses may be slightly delayed.