A free online training programme has been launched to prepare judicial systems for the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal decision-making, with UNESCO partnering with the University of Oxford to lead the initiative. The course aims to help legal professionals understand and manage the increasing role of AI in court processes while maintaining rule-of-law principles.
AI is already influencing areas such as evidence assessment, case processing, and access to justice, but many judicial professionals currently lack structured guidance on how to evaluate these technologies. The programme addresses this gap by offering a human rights-based framework that integrates legal, ethical, and operational perspectives.
Developed with contributions from Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Blavatnik School of Government, the course equips participants with practical tools to assess algorithmic outputs, identify potential bias, and safeguard judicial independence in technology-driven court systems. It also introduces an AI and Rule of Law Checklist designed to support courts in scrutinizing AI tools, including their use as evidence.
The training further examines key concerns such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and protection of vulnerable groups, reflecting the expanding use of AI across justice systems globally. Supported by the European Union, the course is available worldwide free of charge and offers certification from the University of Oxford, aiming to ensure that AI strengthens rather than undermines judicial integrity.
