Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI
The Open University
Last updated August 30, 2026
Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI sets out the ethical concerns generative AI raises in law and legal practice, then moves from naming them to mitigating them — the practices that reduce each risk, rather than a statement of principles. Human oversight runs through the whole course: who checks an output, how much trust a tool has earned, and what has to stay with a person. It is part of AI Law and Legal Training, a free collection on OpenLearn Create for advice and legal contexts. A self-paced course of around three hours including a short quiz; enrolling is free.
Part 5 of 8 in AI Law and Legal Training
- Understanding Generative AI
- Skills and strategies for using Generative AI
- Key considerations for successful Generative AI adoption
- Use cases for Generative AI
- Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI (you are here)
- Navigating risk management
- Understanding legal regulation and compliance
- Preparing for tomorrow: horizon scanning and AI literacy
What you'll learn
- The ethical concerns raised by generative AI in legal and advice work
- Practical ways to mitigate each of those risks
- Why human oversight remains necessary, and where it has to sit
- How much trust a generative AI tool can reasonably be given
Frequently asked questions about Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI
Who is Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI for?
Legal professionals, advisers and law students who want to think carefully about the ethics of using generative AI on other people's problems.
Is Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI free?
Yes — Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI is completely free to take.
Does Ethical and responsible use of Generative AI offer a certificate?
Yes. Digital badge and course certificate, awarded on completing all sections and passing the course quiz.
Why we suggest this course
Ethics material at this length is often abstract. This course is anchored to a single profession, where duties are already codified and a wrong answer lands on a client, so the discussion stays specific enough to act on. The strongest thread is trust and oversight — how much weight a professional can reasonably put on a tool's output, and which judgments stay human regardless of how good the tool gets. AI Law and Legal Training is funded by UKRI Responsible AI and built by The Open University and the University of Lincoln with Citizens Advice, with support from lawyers at Fieldfisher, Mishcon de Reya and Browne Jacobson.