Course in Ethics in Military AI Regulation
Online 300-hour course in ethics in military AI regulation. 6 modules covering the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), Article 36, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act) and Python (scikit-learn). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in Military AI Regulation — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$712 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the uses of artificial intelligence in the military domain and their specific risks.
Analyse the applicable international legal framework, including Article 36 of Additional Protocol I.
Distinguish the scope and exclusions of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act with regard to defence.
Define mechanisms for human control and attribution of responsibility in AI systems.
Apply AI risk management standards such as ISO/IEC 23894 and ISO/IEC 42001.
Assess the explainability, robustness and bias of a model using responsible AI tools.
Develop a proposal for ethical governance of an AI programme in defence.
Who it's for
- AI governance specialist wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Legal adviser in international humanitarian law wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Responsible AI engineer wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Algorithmic systems auditor wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Defence and technology policy analyst wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Technology ethics researcher wishing to specialise in Ethics in Military AI Regulation.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), Article 36
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
- ISO/IEC 42001 (AI management system)
- ISO/IEC 23894 (AI risk management)
- IEEE 7000-2021 (values-based design)
- NATO Principles for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (2021)
- UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Current uses: logistics, maintenance, analysis and simulation1.2Decision support systems1.3Degrees of autonomy and their definition1.4What is meant by an autonomous weapon system1.5Difference between automation and autonomy1.6Real capabilities versus expectations1.7Reliability, robustness and model failure1.8Model opacity and explainability1.9Technical and legal vocabulary of the debate1.10Exercise: classify systems by degree of autonomy
2.1International humanitarian law and its principles2.2Distinction, proportionality and precaution2.3The Martens Clause and its invocation2.4Legal review of new weapons2.5Debate within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons2.6Group of Governmental Experts and its evolution2.7Positions of States and blocs2.8Proposals for a legally binding instrument2.9Human rights and the use of force2.10Practice: analyse the legal fit of a system
3.1Concept of meaningful human control3.2Levels of supervision and intervention3.3Automation bias and excessive trust3.4Decision time and operational pressure3.5Chain of command and attribution of responsibility3.6Responsibility gap and proposals to close it3.7Responsibility of the developer and the integrator3.8Traceability and decision logging3.9Incident investigation3.10Practice: define the control points of a system
4.1Ethical principles adopted by administrations and armed forces4.2European AI regulation and its exclusions4.3Certification and assessment of high-risk systems4.4Verification, validation and testing of learning systems4.5Training data management and bias4.6Model security against adversarial attacks4.7Export control of dual-use technology4.8Technical standards and their role4.9Confidence-building and transparency measures between States4.10Practice: governance checklist
5.1Arguments in favour of restrictive regulation5.2Arguments of those who support development5.3Risk of escalation and technological arms race5.4Proliferation to non-state actors5.5Conscientious objection of the technical professional5.6Responsibility of the university and the researcher5.7Research funding and transparency5.8Civil society participation in the debate5.9Honest public communication of capabilities5.10Practice: ethical opinion on a project
6.1Choice of a specific system or application6.2Technical description and degree of autonomy6.3Analysis of the applicable legal framework6.4Design of meaningful human control6.5Assessment of technical and ethical risks6.6Governance and traceability measures6.7Proposal for prior legal review6.8Transparency and accountability plan6.9Analysis report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is Python (scikit-learn), SHAP, IBM AI Fairness 360, Microsoft Responsible AI Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies draw on real procedures from algorithmic impact assessments, legal reviews of new weapons and means, bias audits and model explainability analyses. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the uses of artificial intelligence in the military domain and their specific risks.
Analyse the applicable international legal framework, including Article 36 of Additional Protocol I.
Distinguish the scope and exclusions of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act with regard to defence.
Define mechanisms for human control and attribution of responsibility in AI systems.
Apply AI risk management standards such as ISO/IEC 23894 and ISO/IEC 42001.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Python (scikit-learn), SHAP, IBM AI Fairness 360 and Microsoft Responsible AI Toolbox. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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