Employee Cybersecurity Awareness in the Age of AI

This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Cyber threats are evolving, and your best defense is informed, vigilant employees. This course equips learners with critical awareness of how artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, from deepfake-driven scams to agentic AI threats. Through real-world examples and threat simulations, learners will develop practical skills to identify, mitigate, and respond to AI-enhanced cyber risks across different organizational roles. Starting with the fundamentals of how AI is transforming threat vectors, learners will explore the new tactics cybercriminals use—from voice cloning to AI-powered phishing. You'll then dive deep into the hidden dangers of Shadow AI, risks associated with everyday AI tools, and the need for secure cyber hygiene practices in this shifting landscape. Later modules uncover how organizations can turn the tables—leveraging AI for defense through smart detection systems, predictive analytics, and ethical automation. You’ll also explore responsible AI use, regulatory frameworks, and how to cultivate a reporting-first culture and a human firewall within your organization. This course is ideal for employees at all levels, including executives, HR, IT, and customer-facing teams. No prior cybersecurity experience is required, although general digital literacy will be helpful. This course is designed for learners at a beginner to intermediate level. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify AI-powered cyber threats, adopt proactive security practices, understand organizational AI risk, and contribute to building a cyber-aware culture across your workplace.