Oxford launches AI rule-of-law course

UNESCO and the University of Oxford have launched a free online course aimed at judges, lawyers and other justice-sector professionals as courts confront wider use of artificial intelligence in legal work. The programme, called “AI, Justice and the Rule of Law,” opened in English on April 27, 2026, according to UNESCO. Oxford’s Faculty of Law said the course was co-created with UNESCO, the Blavatnik School of Government and Saïd Business School, and is funded by UNESCO with support from the European Union. The course is pitched at legal and public-sector audiences dealing with AI in evidence, legal research, case management and decision support, rather than at software developers. UNESCO said the package includes an “AI and Rule of Law Checklist” to help legal professionals scrutinize AI systems and outputs, including when such outputs are used as evidence in judicial proceedings. Oxford law professor Ignacio Cofone, one of the academic directors, said the course focuses on “decisions that judges actually have to make,” including whether to admit AI-generated evidence and how much to rely on AI decision-support tools. (unesco.org) ### Why are Oxford and UNESCO doing this now? UNESCO said AI is already being used in courtrooms, shaping evidence, decision-making and access to justice. Its AI and Rule of Law page says judges are using tools such as ChatGPT for work, while many lack formal training or institutional guidance. UNESCO reported that 44% of surveyed judges use ChatGPT and similar tools for work purposes, while only 9% receive training or have institutional guidelines in place. (unesco.org) The Oxford Faculty of Law said the course is meant to help legal professionals navigate AI in legal research, analysis and decision-making while upholding human rights and the rule of law. UNESCO framed the issue as one of institutional safeguards and scrutiny, saying whether AI supports or undermines the rule of law will depend on how courts assess these systems. (unesco.org) ### What does the course actually cover? Oxford said the programme is delivered across six self-paced modules and includes expert-led videos, comparative case studies, reflective exercises and practical discussions. UNESCO described the course as practice-oriented and said it brings together topics including AI and evidence, judicial independence and women’s rights. (unesco.org) Ignacio Cofone said participants will work through scenarios involving AI-generated evidence, generative drafting tools and risk-assessment systems. He said the course is comparative, drawing on experiences across different legal systems, and is designed to help participants identify safeguards before relying on AI assistance. (unesco.org) ### What is in the checklist and governance material? UNESCO said the new checklist is designed to guide legal professionals in assessing AI systems and outputs against rule-of-law concerns. The issues highlighted in UNESCO’s materials include fairness, transparency, accountability, due process and the right to a reasoned decision. (law.ox.ac.uk) UNESCO’s broader AI and Rule of Law programme also links the course to other governance tools, including its Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law for the Judiciary and guidelines for the use of AI in courts and tribunals. Those materials place the judiciary in a governance role, applying human-rights standards to questions about bias, discrimination, privacy and transparency. (unesco.org) ### Who is the course for, and what do participants get? UNESCO said the course is free, online and self-paced, with a University of Oxford digital certificate of completion issued in partnership with UNESCO, the Blavatnik School of Government and Oxford’s Faculty of Law. Oxford said the intended audience includes judges, legal professionals and people working in related fields. (unesco.org) The Oxford Faculty of Law put the guided learning time at about 18 hours, while UNESCO’s launch article listed about 12 guided learning hours plus optional resources. Both organizations describe six modules and open enrolment. That difference appears to reflect how the institutions count optional material, though neither page spells out the discrepancy. (unesco.org) ### What happens next? UNESCO said French and Spanish editions of the course are due in June 2026 after the English-language launch on April 27. Enrolment is already open through UNESCO’s AI and Rule of Law pages and Oxford’s course materials, according to the organizations. (unesco.org)