Preparing for tomorrow: horizon scanning and AI literacy
The Open University
Last updated August 30, 2026
Preparing for tomorrow tackles the problem every course on generative AI runs into: the subject keeps moving after you finish. It surveys where to look for reliable information on generative AI developments and how to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each source, then turns to AI literacy — what the term actually contains, component by component, and a structured way to assess your own so you finish with a read on your strengths and gaps. It also considers the effect artificial intelligence is having on human intelligence. 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 two to two and a half hours including a short quiz; enrolling is free.
Part 8 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
- Navigating risk management
- Understanding legal regulation and compliance
- Preparing for tomorrow: horizon scanning and AI literacy (you are here)
What you'll learn
- Sources for keeping up with generative AI developments, and how to judge their reliability
- Horizon scanning as an ongoing habit rather than a one-time exercise
- What AI literacy consists of, and its key components
- Assessing your own AI literacy and identifying where the gaps are
- The effect artificial intelligence is having on human intelligence, and why AI literacy matters for it
Frequently asked questions about Preparing for tomorrow
Who is Preparing for tomorrow for?
Advisers, legal professionals and law students who want a method for staying current on generative AI rather than a snapshot of it.
Is Preparing for tomorrow free?
Yes — Preparing for tomorrow is completely free to take.
Does Preparing for tomorrow offer a certificate?
Yes. Digital badge and course certificate, awarded on completing all sections and passing the course quiz.
Why we suggest this course
Any course about a fast-moving technology has a shelf life, and this one answers that directly by teaching a habit rather than a fact set. Three strands run through it — where to find reliable information and how to weigh it, what AI literacy consists of, and the effect artificial intelligence is having on human intelligence — and the first of those, sorting reliable sources from noise, is a genuinely scarce skill in this subject. The self-assessment at the end is the practical payoff: a structured way to name what you do not yet understand, which is more useful than another list of tools. 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.