UNESCO has launched a free online course on artificial intelligence and its use in judicial systems. The programme, entitled AI, Justice, and the Rule of Law, was developed together with the Saïd Business School, the Blavatnik School of Government, and the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford, with support from the European Union.

The course examines how AI technologies are increasingly being integrated into judicial practice, including legal research, evidence analysis, real-time translation, case management, and risk or sentencing assessments. Against this background, the programme focuses on how courts and legal professionals could make use of AI while safeguarding human rights, judicial independence, procedural fairness, and public trust.

Particular attention is paid to questions of algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability. The course addresses how judges should evaluate AI-generated outputs presented in court proceedings, what safeguards are needed to avoid overreliance on automated systems, and how judicial systems could introduce technological innovation without undermining the rule of law. Other modules focus on access to justice, fair trial rights, explainability of AI systems, and the impact of AI on women and marginalised groups.

The programme consists of approximately 18 hours of self-paced learning and includes expert-led video sessions, comparative case studies, practical exercises, and scenario-based discussions. It is aimed at legal professionals and judicial actors worldwide.

The academic direction of the course is provided by Professor Ignacio Cofone and Professor Philippa Webb of the University of Oxford. According to UNESCO, the programme draws on international human rights law, UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law for the Judiciary, and comparative research on AI governance and judicial systems.

The course is initially offered in English, with French and Spanish versions expected to be available from June 2026 onwards. Participants who complete the programme receive a digital certificate issued by the Saïd Business School in cooperation with UNESCO and the University of Oxford partners.