
AI Law, Policy, and Governance
ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE
Understand and adapt to the policy and regulatory developments taking place in leading states including the US, China, UK, and the EU.
6 weeks, excluding 1 week orientation.
6–8 hours of self-paced learning per week, entirely online.
Email:  lseonline@getsmarter.com
Call:  +44 2038 568 850
ABOUT THIS COURSE
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is already clear. It is changing the workplace, disrupting creative industries, and is gradually being embedded in our daily routine. But the development and deployment of AI brings opportunities, challenges, and threats. Governments are positioning themselves to “win” the AI race.
The London School of Economics and Political Science AI Law, Policy, and Governance online certificate course examines the key policy drivers and the regulatory structures that have been put in place to encourage investment in safe and secure AI as well as examines the frameworks in place to ensure users and developers are protected. This course is framed through a policy and a legal lens and is taught by experts in AI policy and regulation. No prior legal or regulatory background is required: the course is designed to be accessible to anyone interested in the regulation of AI.

This AI Law, Policy, and Governance online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service,* and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 42 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
*Pending approval.
“AI technologies promise to enhance efficiency, improve decision accuracy, and offer more personalised services to citizens. Yet, as with any powerful technology, AI brings with it significant risks. Issues of bias, transparency, privacy, and accountability loom large. How can we ensure that AI serves the public good, rather than entrenching inequalities or perpetuating errors at scale?”
— LSE Public Policy Review
Benoit, K (2024) AI and Data Science for Public Policy. LSE Public Policy Review. Retrieved February, 2025.
WHAT THIS COURSE COVERS
Over six weeks, you’ll gain an understanding of AI policy and regulatory developments in leading states, knowledge of key policy drivers and regulatory structures, and an insight into frameworks for user and developer protection.
Guided by industry experts, you’ll explore:
- The distinction between AI and non-AI systems
- What makes AI a disruptive technology
- The core principles, methods, and frameworks underpinning AI regulation and governance
- The design requirements for high-risk AI systems
- The five principles guiding AI regulation in the UK
- The risks and challenges of generative AI from a regulatory perspective
A POWERFUL COLLABORATION
The London School of Economics and Political Science is collaborating with online education provider GetSmarter to create a new class of learning experience – one that is high-touch, intimate, and personalised for the working professional.
ABOUT LSE
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a leading dedicated social science university. LSE was founded in 1895 with the aim of understanding the causes of things for the “betterment of society”. LSE seeks to make research and teaching practical and relevant to the real world. The School counts 18 Nobel Prize winners and 37 world leaders amongst its alumni and staff. LSE has students from over 160 countries, and over 100 languages are spoken on campus.

ABOUT LSE ONLINE CERTIFICATES
LSE is dedicated to addressing global issues through research and education, and is the most international of all British universities. By offering online certificate courses designed by expert LSE faculty members, the School aims to make its state-of-the-art social sciences research and insights available to a wider global audience. The supported, interactive online learning model allows participants to study from anywhere in the world, at times of their convenience, while still interacting with peers and teaching staff alike.

ABOUT GETSMARTER
GetSmarter partners with the world’s leading universities and institutions to select, design and deliver premium online short courses with a data-driven focus on learning gain.
Technology meets academic rigour in GetSmarter’s people-mediated model, which enables lifelong learners across the globe to obtain industry-relevant skills that are certified by the world’s most reputable academic institutions.
As a participant, you will also gain unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network at no extra cost. This platform will provide you with valuable career resources and events to support your professional journey. You can look forward to benefits including rich content, career templates, webinars, workshops, career fairs, networking events, panel discussions, and exclusive recruitment opportunities to connect you with potential employers.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
You’ll be welcomed to the course and begin connecting with fellow participants, while exploring the navigation and tools of your Online Campus. Be alerted to key milestones in the learning path, and review how your results will be calculated and distributed.
You’ll be required to complete your participant profile, confirm your email address for the delivery of your digital certificate, and submit a digital copy of your passport/identity document.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
Gain an appreciation of what AI is and isn't capable of and the difficulties of AI policymaking amidst global uncertainty and power imbalances.
- Explain the distinction between AI and non-AI systems
- Describe the roles of AI across both global and sector-specific levels
- Identify the range of challenges pertaining to AI policymaking
- Discuss the divergent policy community perspectives on AI policymaking
- Determine the influence and differing approaches of market-leading jurisdictions on AI policymaking
Explore analogous national strategies for policy development and the influence of various institutions on these approaches.
- Identify what makes AI a disruptive technology
- Outline the most relevant differences between democratic and authoritarian approaches to policymaking
- Explain the contributions of specific countries to the AI policy landscape
- Determine how specific countries’ regulatory approaches impact policy effectiveness
- Analyse the influence of industry and non-state players on AI regulation
Examine the AI Act’s position within different models of AI regulation and governance.
- Discuss the core principles, methods, and frameworks underpinning AI regulation and governance
- Outline the main distinctions between rules-based and principles-based approaches to regulation
- Articulate the development and key milestones of the AI Act
- Investigate the risk-based regulatory model that forms the basis of the AI Act
- Categorise key provisions of the AI Act and various AI applications within different risk categories
Gain an understanding of the design, deployment, and governance requirements for high-risk AI systems as mandated by the AI Act.
- Outline the design requirements for high-risk AI systems
- Apply the key obligations for providers and deployers of AI systems
- Articulate the meaning of transparency in the context of the AI Act
- Analyse transparency as an overarching principle and requirement under the AI Act
- Assess the mechanisms of governance and enforcement mandated by the AI Act
Discover different approaches to AI regulation, focusing on risk-based alternatives and jurisdiction-specific frameworks.
- Articulate alternative regulatory models to the risk-based approach of AI regulation
- Compare horizontal and vertical regulation as utilised by selected jurisdictions
- Interpret the five principles guiding AI regulation in the UK
- Analyse the sectoral approach to AI regulation in the UK
- Investigate the relevant US frameworks for AI regulation
- Assess the state-based regulatory approach to AI in the US
Gain an understanding of the regulatory challenges, approaches, and principles for governing and developing generative AI.
- Outline the risks and challenges of generative AI from a regulatory perspective
- Articulate the meaning of foundation and frontier models
- Analyse the regulation of foundation models in the EU AI Act and the Chinese AI measures
- Investigate alternative methods for regulating foundation and frontier models
- Evaluate the guiding principles for organisations developing advanced AI systems
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE
As AI deployment expands across all areas of business, the policy and regulatory challenges it presents are top of mind for organisations. If you work in compliance, technology, or policy – or are an in-house legal advisor or part of a tech company or startup with regulatory questions – this course is for you.
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO:

UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS
Strengthen your portfolio by understanding AI risks, responsible innovation, and compliance requirements.

CHANGE YOUR CAREER
Expand your career opportunities as governments and various industries work to manage AI risks and opportunities.

GROW YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Enhance your decision-making whether you’re a business leader, tech professional, or policymaker.
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE
Get recognised for your knowledge when you earn a certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science – a world-leading social science university – and use it to validate your new-found AI, law, and policy skills.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. To be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.
WHO YOU’LL LEARN FROM
These subject-matter experts from LSE guide the course design and appear in a number of course videos, along with a variety of industry professionals.
YOUR COURSE CONVENORS

Andrew Murray
Professor of Law
LSE Law School

Alexander Evans
Associate Dean (Strategic Development), MPA in Data Science for Public Policy Programme Director
School of Public Policy

Ayse Gizem Yasar
Assistant Professor (Education)
LSE Law School
GUEST EXPERTS
Doaa Abu Elyounes
Program Specialist Ethics of AI, UNESCO
Miri Zilka
Senior Research Associate, King’s College, Cambridge
Laura Jugel
Technology Specialist, European AI Office
Carlos Mougan
Technology Specialist, European AI Office
Alexander Macgillivray
Former Principal Deputy United States Chief Technology Officer and Deputy Assistant to the President
Niklas Lundblad
Senior Policy Director
Dr Zhiyu Li
Associate Professor in Law and Policy
HOW YOU’LL LEARN
Every course is broken down into manageable, weekly modules designed to accelerate your learning process through diverse activities:
- Work through your downloadable and online instructional material
- Interact with your peers and learning facilitators through weekly class-wide forums and reviewed small group discussions
- Enjoy a wide range of interactive content, including video lectures, infographics, live polls, and more
- Investigate rich, real-world case studies
- Apply what you learn each week to quizzes and ongoing project submissions, culminating in a holistic understanding of AI policy and regulation as it stands today
YOUR SUCCESS TEAM
GetSmarter, with whom LSE is collaborating to deliver this online course, provides a personalised approach to online education that ensures you’re supported throughout your learning journey.

HEAD TUTOR
A subject expert who’ll guide you through content-related challenges.

SUCCESS ADVISOR
Your one-on-one support is available during University hours (8am–5pm GMT) to resolve technical and administrative challenges.

GLOBAL SUCCESS TEAM
Available 24/7 to solve your tech-related and administrative queries and concerns.
COURSE CALLOUTS
6 weeks online | No legal background required | Videos and podcasts
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
In order to complete this course, you’ll need a PDF Reader. You may also need to view Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, as well as read and create documents in Microsoft Word or Excel.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Some courses may require certain software and resources, which will be communicated to you upon registration and/or at the start of the course. Please note that Google, Vimeo, and YouTube may be used in our course delivery.