Postgraduate Diploma in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems. 8 modules with DoD Directive 3000.09 (autonomy in weapon systems), CCW GGE Guiding Principles on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (2019) and Python (scikit-learn). Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
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
Distinguish the concepts of automation and autonomy in technical systems.
Apply ethical frameworks to the design and use of automated systems.
Analyse the applicable international and European legal framework.
Define requirements for meaningful human control.
Plan the verification, validation and reliability of autonomous systems.
Design governance and oversight structures.
Develop a control framework for an automated system.
Who it's for
- Technology ethics specialist looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- Governance manager for autonomous systems looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- Verification and validation engineer looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- Legal adviser in international humanitarian law looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- Researcher in responsible artificial intelligence looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- AI compliance consultant looking to specialise in Ethics and Control of the Use of Automated Systems.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter defence and security.
What you'll work with
- DoD Directive 3000.09 (autonomy in weapon systems)
- CCW GGE Guiding Principles on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (2019)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
- IEEE 7000-2021 (ethical considerations in system design)
- ISO/IEC 42001 (artificial intelligence management systems)
- ISO/IEC TR 24028 (trustworthiness in AI)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Article 36
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Automation, autonomy and functional autonomy1.2Levels of autonomy: SAE J3016 and analogies1.3Automated systems in land vehicles1.4Automated active defence functions1.5Unmanned ground robots1.6Decision support systems1.7Artificial intelligence and machine learning1.8History of automated systems in defence1.9ICRC and UN taxonomies1.10Workshop: classification of systems by degree of autonomy
2.1Deontological and consequentialist ethics2.2Virtue ethics and responsibility2.3Just war theory2.4Human dignity and automated decisions2.5Responsibility gap2.6Problem of moral agency2.7NATO principles of AI ethics2.8US Department of Defense principles2.9Current academic debates2.10Practice: ethical analysis of a scenario
3.1Applicable international humanitarian law3.2Distinction, proportionality and precaution3.3Article 36 and legal review3.4CCW Group of Governmental Experts3.5UN General Assembly resolutions3.6European AI Regulation and defence exclusion3.7International human rights law3.8State and individual responsibility3.9Position of Spain and the EU3.10Case study: legal review of an automated system
4.1Concept of meaningful human control4.2Human in, on and out of the loop4.3Appropriate human judgement4.4Control by design, by context and by use4.5Temporal and spatial limitations4.6Interfaces that preserve control4.7Automation bias4.8Operator training4.9Indicators of effective control4.10Workshop: assessment of human control in a system
5.1Verification of AI systems5.2Testing in simulated environments5.3Robustness and edge cases5.4Biases in training data5.5Explainability and traceability5.6Change management in learning systems5.7Functional safety and critical software5.8Cybersecurity and adversarial manipulation5.9ISO/IEC 42001 AI management standard5.10Laboratory: robustness analysis of a classifier
6.1Ethics committees in defence6.2Algorithmic impact assessment6.3Auditing of automated systems6.4Documentation and model cards6.5Organisational accountability6.6Transparency versus security6.7Role of industry6.8Participation of civil society6.9Export control of AI6.10Case study: design of a supervisory committee
7.1Automated air defence systems7.2Ground robots in operations7.3Use of AI in recent conflicts7.4Swarms and multi-agent systems7.5Automated cyber defence7.6Proposals for an international treaty7.7Strategic stability7.8Dual-use civil technologies7.9Future scenarios7.10Practice: structured debate on a treaty
8.1Selection of the system under study8.2Technical description and degree of autonomy8.3Ethical analysis8.4Legal analysis8.5Human control mechanisms8.6Verification and validation plan8.7Governance proposal8.8Recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Python (scikit-learn), MATLAB/Simulink, Cameo Systems Modeler, IBM AI Fairness 360, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for analysing automation cases, assessments of meaningful human control and ethical reviews of technology projects. 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.
Distinguish the concepts of automation and autonomy in technical systems.
Apply ethical frameworks to the design and use of automated systems.
Analyse the applicable international and European legal framework.
Define requirements for meaningful human control.
Plan the verification, validation and reliability of autonomous systems.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Python (scikit-learn), MATLAB/Simulink, Cameo Systems Modeler and IBM AI Fairness 360. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma awarded on passing 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 diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Diploma in Renewable Energy Integration for Field Camps
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in renewable energy integration for field camps. 8 modules covering energy in field camps, solar photovoltaics, wind, biomass and other…
Diploma in Radar and LO Signature Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in radar and low-observable (LO) signature management. 8 modules covering signature as a system requirement, budgets and allocation, integrated LO…
Diploma in Underwater Sensor Integration
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in underwater sensor integration. 8 modules covering sensors in the underwater environment, transducers and arrays, integration platforms, mechanical and electrical…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships