UNESCO Massive Open Online Course: Upholding the Rule of Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is free of charge and its target audience are actors associated with the Justice System, including also lawyers, judges and prosecutors. It covers six modules. Module 1 introduces the significance of digital transformation and AI in justice systems. It covers responsible AI adoption, impact on judicial operators, technology in the judiciary, global trends, AI in African access to justice, and pandemic-related access issues. Module 2 explores how AI adoption in the Judiciary improves services, access to justice, and cost-efficiency, while taking heed of its risks, and related assessment methods. Moreover, it forwards case studies on responsible AI in investigations, law enforcement, and legal proceedings. Module 3 examines trends related to online dispute resolution and online courts, including potential constraints for AI adoption. It forwards two case studies: the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal and smart courts in China. Module 4 unpacks the issue of algorithmic bias, discrimination, and its implications to the Rule of Law.  Module 5 overviews key issues related to AI and human rights, including implications for freedom of expression, privacy, and equality. Module 6 reviews the Responsible AI landscape, such as key ethical and governance issues, through the lens of justice. This includes AI-specific principles and how Justice actors can operationalize them. Its methodology consists of video lectures by experts, lecture summaries, downloadable transcriptions of lectures, relevant use cases and examples, short assessments, downloadable presentation slides, and recommended reading materials. Finally, its objective is to strengthen capacity of judicial operators vis-à-vis AI’s impact in both its utilization in the Justice System and its effects to society and the Rule of Law.