What will you gain?

On completion of this module, you will:

  • have developed a foundational understanding of how artificial intelligence works and an awareness of strengths, limitations, and challenges,

  • have mastered the regulatory landscape for AI across the globe (including the EU AI Act), and the fundamental principles, stakeholder positions, and drivers for AI regulation,

  • have gained applicable insights into the central positions and trends in digital ethics,

  • be able to identify the challenges and opportunities of AI and gain the ability to assist clients through knowledge and insight,

  • have had the opportunity and gained the confidence to engage with other professionals working in the field of AI,

  • have exclusive access to the Oxford LawTech Education Programme (OLTEP) alumni network,

  • have earned a personal certificate from the module that highlights their understanding of the topic.

Is this module for you?

The AI University Foundations module is designed for all professionals—individuals as well as groups—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.

How will you progress?

Over the course of 9 weeks (8 September to 9 November 2025) you will complete these stages:

Module Orientation

Get to know the lecturers, the aims of the module, and how to complete it successfully.

Unit 1: The Lawyer's AI Primer

An accessible introduction to the computer science foundations of modern AI tailored specifically for lawyers or those with interest in legal issues relating to AI.

Unit 2: Mastering the AI Regulatory Landscape

Critically examines AI regulation across the globe, with a particular focus on the EU,* US (both federally and at state level), UK, China, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, the Council of Europe, and United Nations. Shows the law from the perspectives of different stakeholders in the AI supply and deployment chain.

*Includes extended (free) learning materials that dissect the EU AI Act in detail.

Unit 3: Digital Ethics

Introduces digital ethics as an academically rigorous yet profoundly practical discipline that gives you confidence to spot and solve ethical puzzles concerning simple as well as complex AI cases or scenarios. 

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.

Certificate of Completion 

Gain a personal certificate by completing a short Capstone Exercise anytime during the last three weeks of the module. Applies only to those who buy also the Capstone Exercise.

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.

Tom Melham 

Rebecca Williams

Vaclav Janecek

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 schedule for the Cohort of 8 September 2025:

Welcome live event 30 min Monday, Week 1 08 Sep 2025 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Unit 1 live Q&A with Prof Melham 60 min Monday, Week 3 22 Sep 2025 from 9.30am and 3.00pm 
Unit 2 live Q&A with Prof Williams 60 min Tuesday, Week 5 07 Oct 2025 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Unit 3 live Q&A with Dr Janecek 60 min Monday, Week 6 13 Oct 2025 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Final live panel Q&A with all three experts 60 min Wednesday, Week 8 29 Oct 2025 from 9.30am and 3.00pm

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.

Secure your place now

Buy the Module to start learning soon. Buy also the Capstone Exercise so that you can gain a Certificate of Completion. All prices include 20% VAT.

  • £960.00

    Module + Capstone Exercise

    Buy now

Payment options and discounts

The fastest way to secure your place on this module is by a card payment (online) via either of the two "Buy now" buttons above. 

If you prefer payment by invoice, email us at [email protected]

We offer a 10% discount for group bookings of at least 10 places. We also offer a 15% discount for participants working in public-sector or non-commercial organizations, a 10% discount for OLTEP alumni, and a 5% discount for the University of Oxford Alumni. Only one of these discounts can apply for any booking. Write to us at [email protected], demonstrating how you qualify for one of these discounts and we will send you a discount code. 

If you wish to enquire about a run of the module for your group or company, please contact us at [email protected].

All orders are subject to our Terms & Conditions.

When do I need to decide?

Registrations close on 04 September 2025 or when places are sold out.

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Testimonials

Maartje Nugteren (International Policy Lead, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation)

"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."

participant feedback, Cohort of April 2025

"I highly value the clarity of the materials, the structure of the modules, and the expertise of the instructors, and I believe this program provides a strong foundation for legal professionals seeking to future-proof their practice."

participant feedback, Cohort of September 2024

“The delivery methods are appropriate, and time commitments are very manageable, alongside a full workload.”

participant feedback, Cohort of April 2025

“I was genuinely impressed by the AI Foundations module. The content was clear, relevant, and well structured. What stood out most was the direct engagement from the tutors themselves, which made the learning experience feel serious and personal.”

participant feedback, Cohort of April 2025

“OLTEP is very well organised getting non-technical lawyers up to speed not only to understand what AI is and what it can do but positioning it in the legal framework and how various regions, not just the EU, are approaching AI and what that may mean for the UK.”

participant feedback, Cohort of April 2024

“I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I learnt a significant amount of practical information that supports my day to day role. The Professors were hugely knowledgeable, approachable, and generous with their time. The course content was varied and engaging. I would highly recommend!”

participant feedback, Cohort of February 2024

“This is a truly excellent programme. It provides a highlights-tour of latest legal developments (updated as the programme progresses). Also, the multi-disciplinary approach exposes lawyers to new non-legal perspectives. I enjoyed the way in which the programme allows for flexibility in completion - both in terms of completing the modules online at a convenient time, and also flexibility to join either a morning or afternoon session - all very helpful for those with busy diaries. A great way to connect with like-minded thinkers in the AI community across the globe. Highly recommended.”

participant feedback, Cohort of July 2024

“A great course which I would highly recommend. Clearly tailored to the needs of practicing lawyers.”

participant feedback, Cohort of July 2024

“Any lawyer from any field should get up to speed on the basics of AI and this course definitely delivers and more. The three-pronged approach to the course (the technical, legal, and ethical) provide the basic tools to navigate the current situation and is a useful introduction when one is inclined to plunge into the subject. Finally, the capstone exercise is necessary to align concepts in one's head and open horizons on the subject. Congratulations to the team!”

When is the next cohort?

Cohort start dates in 2026

12 January 2026 (TBC)
More dates to be announced

Cohort start dates in 2025

08 September 2025
30 June 2025
14 April 2025
17 February 2025


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