In courtrooms of tomorrow, there may be more than just judges and lawyers as the fast-paced adoption of artificial intelligence into courts, legal research, evidence analysis, and judicial administration across the world.

As governments and institutions race to modernise justice systems, a bigger question is emerging: can technology improve justice without weakening the rule of law?To help answer that, UNESCO and University of Oxford have launched a new global course titled AI, Justice and the Rule of Law, aimed at judges, lawyers, policymakers, academics, and legal professionals navigating the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence.

The course arrives at a time when AI-related legal disputes are no longer hypothetical. Courts worldwide are increasingly dealing with questions around algorithmic bias, automated decision-making, digital evidence, and accountability. While AI tools promise faster case management and improved access to justice, experts warn that unchecked systems could also threaten fairness, transparency, and public trust.

Developed with Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the Blavatnik School of Government, and the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, the programme is built on more than a decade of collaboration between UNESCO and judicial communities around the world. UNESCO says it has worked with over 38,000 judges across 160 countries during that period, helping courts understand the impact of emerging technologies.

The online course is free, self-paced, and takes around 18 hours to complete. Participants will study six modules led by more than 30 global AI experts, covering issues such as evidence assessment, judicial accountability, procedural fairness, and human rights safeguards in AI systems.
Those who score at least 50 percent in the assessments will receive an official University of Oxford digital certificate issued in partnership with UNESCO.

Also Read: “Do Not Become An Artificial Lawyer”: Judges Come Down Hard on AI in Courts