AI University Foundations
A nine-week online learning module that gives all lawyers a firm grasp of the technical, legal and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, including the EU AI Act and the global AI regulatory landscape.
What will you gain?
On completion of this module, you will:
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Have developed a high-level understanding of what ‘artificial intelligence’ actually is and an awareness of its challenges in practice.
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Understand the regulatory landscape for AI, and the fundamental principles, stakeholder positions, and drivers for AI regulation.
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Have gained critical insights into the central positions and trends in digital ethics.
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Be able to identify the challenges and opportunities of AI and gain the ability to assist clients through knowledge and insight.
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Have had the opportunity and gained the confidence to engage with other professionals working in the field of AI.
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Have exclusive access to the OLTEP alumni network.
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Have earned a personal certificate from the module that highlights your understanding of the topic.
Is this module for you?
The AI University Foundations module is designed for all professionals working in law and law-adjacent fields who will engage with legal issues relating to AI development, deployment and distribution.
The module is suited for professionals at all levels of experience or seniority who want to develop their skills and knowledge in the field of AI. No prior technical or legal knowledge of artificial intelligence is required.
If you are working in the public sector, you may want to participate in the AI University Public Sector module.
OLTEP is a non-degree programme of professional education operated by Oxford University Innovation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford University, and directed by experienced Oxford academics. If you are looking for a formal qualification from Oxford University, please see the University’s website.
How will you progress?
Over the course of 9 weeks you will complete these stages:
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Module Orientation Get to know the lecturers, the aims of the module, and how to complete it successfully. |
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Unit 1: The Lawyer's AI Primer An accessible introduction to the computer science background of modern AI tailored specifically for lawyers or those with interest in legal issues relating to AI. |
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Unit 2, Part 1: The EU AI Act Provides a detailed account of the AI Act, restructured in a way which assists understanding of how the various parts of the Act operate and fit together. |
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Unit 2, Part 2: AI and the Regulatory Landscape Explores the global landscape of AI regulation, investigating the reasons why regulation might occur and examining some key features of that landscape in a comparative perspective. |
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Unit 3: Digital Ethics Introduces digital ethics as an academically rigorous yet profoundly practical discipline. You will understand the 'methods of ethics' and familiarise yourself with major trends. |
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Final Session Consolidate your newly gained knowledge and skills in a final live session. Supervised by the lecturers, you will synthesise what you've learned during the previous weeks. |
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Certificate of Completion |
Download our brochure to learn more.
Module instructors
In this module, you will be taught by OLTEP Co-Founders
In addition to 6.5 hours of asynchronous lecture materials, these expert lecturers will personally conduct 4.5 hours of live sessions.
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Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Balliol College. |
Professor of Public Law and Criminal Law at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Pembroke College. |
Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol Law School and Associate Member of the Oxford Computer Science Department. |
What is the expected time commitment?
The minimum expected time commitment is around 16 hours spread over the duration of the whole module or, on average, 1.5 hours weekly. This includes 6.5 hours of video lectures and 4.5 hours of live sessions.
That said, many participants choose to dedicate up to 20 hours in total to their learning (or around 2 hours weekly).
Our module handbook guides you through the module and provides advice on scheduling your studies, to make your learning as successful as possible. You will receive regular email signposts on the recommended progression journey.
While all parts of the module can be completed asynchronously, you will have the opportunity to participate in a number of live online sessions.
Here is a typical schedule:
| Welcome live event | 30 min | Monday, Week 1 | From 9.30am and 2.00pm |
| Unit 1 live Q&A with Prof Melham |
60 min | Monday, Week 3 | From 9.30am and 2.00pm |
| Unit 2 live Q&A with Prof Williams |
60 min | Monday, Week 5 |
From 9.30am and 2.00pm |
| Unit 3 live Q&A with Dr Janecek |
60 min | Monday, Week 6 |
From 9.30am and 2.00pm |
| Final live panel Q&A with all three experts |
60 min | Friday, Week 8 | From 9.30am and 2.00pm |
These live sessions are held in the am and pm Oxford time slots, in order to allow participants to connect from any part of the globe. You would be expected to attend only one of these sessions on each date. For the benefit of participants who may not be able to attend one of the live sessions, all live sessions are recorded and made available to participants only until the end of the module.
Those who buy the Capstone Exercise will also spend around 1.5 hours to complete it during the last three weeks of the module. More details about the Capstone Exercise can be found in the brochure.
How much will it cost and when is the next cohort?
The latest run of the AI University module (Feb 2025 - Apr 2025) was available for £810.00 (incl. 20% VAT), with the option to complete the Capstone Exercise for another £90.00 (incl. 20% VAT). Prices for future cohorts may change.
Cohort start dates in 2025
| Further dates to be announced |
| 30 June 2025 (registration will open soon) |
| 14 April 2025 |
| 17 February 2025 |
Cohort start dates in 2024
| 30 September 2024 |
| 08 July 2024 |
| 29 April 2024 |
Join our mailing list below to get a notification when the next cohort registration opens.
Information about discounts can be found in the brochure. If you wish to enquire about a run of the module for your group or company, please contact us at [email protected].
Register your interest
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Testimonials
"I would highly recommend the course! ... [T]he module made me think about AI in a different way than I do on a day-to-day basis in my work."
"I liked the pace and the balance between using academic sources, theoretical puzzles (well I found them puzzling and interestingly challenging) and practical examples".
I highly appreciated "[t]he myth busting and no nonsense approach".
It was great to have the instructors "[b]reaking things into categories clearly, so we have the blocks of understanding".