Course features

By completing this course, you’ll gain firm-ready skills to apply AI responsibly and effectively in legal work, boosting accuracy, productivity, and strategic advantage while preparing your organisation for the accelerating technological and regulatory changes ahead. Professor Hunter’s expertise ensures the programme combines academic rigor with real-world relevance, drawing on his pioneering research in AI & Law and legal innovation. 

The course aims and objectives:

• Demystify AI with a clear, accessible introduction to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models in legal practice.
• Build practical expertise in using generative AI tools for drafting, research, and analysis responsibly and with confidence.
• Develop strategic insight into the organisational, cultural, and competitive impacts of AI across the legal sector.
• Strengthen ethical and regulatory awareness to ensure compliance and uphold professional standards in an AI-driven environment.
• Future-proof your practice by anticipating emerging technologies, including agentic AI and potential legal AGI scenarios.

Course Structure

The AI Literacy for Law course is delivered through King’s E-Learning and Teaching Service (KEATS), our Moodle-based virtual learning environment. The course is fully online and self-guided, enabling busy lawyers to learn flexibly and efficiently. 

The curriculum is released in structured phases to support progressive capability building. Learners receive immediate access to Part 1, which covers foundational knowledge. Part 2 is then unlocked to deepen understanding, followed by Part 3, which enables learners to progress to strategic and forward-looking material.

 There will be 3 Parts:

1. Foundations of AI and Prompting

   This section introduces the role of AI in legal practice, the technical basics of large language models, and the principles of effective prompting. Learners build a practical grounding in how AI systems function and how to interact with them productively.

2. Fundamentals  

   This part explores how AI is reshaping legal work, including strategic considerations for legal professionals, ethical implications, and key risks associated with deploying LLMs. It equips learners with the conceptual tools needed to navigate AI‑enabled legal environments.

3. Emerging Issues

   The final part examines advanced and future‑facing topics such as agentic AI systems, AI in legal education and professional development, regulatory developments, and the long‑term trajectory toward more general legal AI capabilities.

Each part combines a mix of high-quality video content, concise explanatory text, practical examples, curated reading material, guided activities, and knowledge checks to reinforce learning and support real-world application. 

Learners receive 6 months of access to complete all three parts (approximately eight hours per phase) at their own pace. Most learners can complete the course in around 12 weeks (one unit per week), but the schedule accommodates faster or slower progression. Upon completion of all requirements, participants receive a Digital Certificate of Attendance. 

PLEASE NOTE: This course is available to current students of The Dickson Poon School of Law through the AI Literacy Law Initiative. Please contact your Programmes Team for further information.

Academic lead

Professor Dan Hunter is Executive Dean of the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London and a leading voice in the intersection of law and technology. With decades of experience shaping legal education and innovation globally, he brings a future-focused perspective to AI and its transformative impact on the legal profession. 

Entry requirements

This course is ideal for:

• Legal professionals and future lawyers – including early career practitioners, trainees, and law students beginning to explore AI.
• Legal teams across sectors – colleagues in law firms, in-house teams, public sector services, and academia.
• Legal operations and technology roles – professionals supporting digital transformation, innovation, or legal tech adoption.
• Governance, risk, and capability building leads – those responsible for oversight, compliance, learning, or organisational development.

Regardless of background, participants will gain practical skills in using AI tools, a solid understanding of the ethical and strategic implications of AI adoption, and increased confidence in applying these technologies to research, drafting, analysis, and decision-making.

Our courses are conducted in English, so participants must be proficient in both written and spoken English. This proficiency is essential for grasping the complex topics covered in the course and for actively participating in the course materials.  

Further information

How to apply

To enrol in this course, simply click the “Apply” button and complete the short admissions questionnaire. Please note that your place will only be confirmed once payment has been received. 

This course is open to all applicants. We recommend reviewing the Course Overview and Learner Profile to ensure it align with your goals. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the course’s suitability, please contact ExecEd-Law@kcl.ac.uk and a member of the Programme Team will be happy to assist you.

If you require further information about the course or Executive Education at The Dickson Poon School of Law, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact ExecEd-Law@kcl.ac.uk.

What equipment do I need?

To participate, you will need:

• A stable internet connection and a computer or laptop.
• Prior to the start of the course, you receive full joining instructions and access to course materials and readings through our Virtual Learning Environment (KEATS).