AI now helps decide who receives social support, who gets a loan or a job, what news people see, who is stopped by police cameras and which content is removed online. Each of these decisions touches human rights: equality, privacy, expression, work, health, education and access to justice. This course gives professionals a rights-based approach to AI, grounded in African and international human rights law, so they can identify risks, hold states and businesses to account, and help AI serve human dignity.

Who it’s for

National human rights institutions, civil society organisations, lawyers and judges, regulators and data protection authorities, government officials, corporate human rights, ESG and legal teams, journalists, researchers, and development partners. No technical background is needed.

What you’ll be able to do

• Explain how AI systems work and how they can affect human rights.
• Apply African and international human rights law to AI.
• Analyse AI’s effects on equality, privacy, expression, assembly, and economic, social and cultural rights.
• Protect children, women, persons with disabilities and other groups at risk.
• Carry out human rights due diligence and impact assessments for AI.
• Explain state duties, business responsibilities and routes to remedy.
• Monitor AI, advocate for change and support strategic litigation.

How it works

Twelve modules, about 45 hours, at your own pace. Short readings and interactive practice set in fictional African countries and organisations.

Assessment: module quizzes, four applied assignments marked against a published rubric, a timed final exam, and a capstone human rights impact assessment of an AI system.

Certificate

Complete every step to earn the Certificate in AI Ethics and Human Rights, a verifiable digital certificate and Open Badge, showing your capstone result.