AI Policy and Practice for CSOs: An in-depth online course

Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms how societies are governed, how economies function, and how people exercise their rights. For civil society organisations (CSOs), AI brings both new opportunities and urgent challenges: it can empower advocacy and analysis, but it can also deepen inequalities and concentrate power.

AI Policy and Practice for CSOs equips participants to understand, navigate, and influence these changes. It explores how AI policy is developed, what governance frameworks shape it, and how CSOs can engage effectively and ethically in AI-related decision-making.

This course forms part of the Technical Knowledge Track within the CADE Capacity Development Programme for CSOs 2025–2026. It is an in-depth, guided online course comprising four interconnected modules and weekly Zoom sessions with lecturers and facilitators. Each module blends policy learning with hands-on application, helping participants connect AI governance debates to their own advocacy work.

The four modules are:

• Module 1. AI foundations and narratives
• Module 2. AI in global and regional policy processes
• Module 3. AI risks and governance frameworks
• Module 4. From chatbots to advocacy tools

Throughout the course, participants use Diplo’s MyDepartment.ai to build and refine their own policy-focused chatbot, gaining practical experience in structuring datasets and using AI tools to support research and advocacy.

Participants who successfully complete this course receive a Certificate of Completion and may continue their learning journey by developing their diplomatic and negotiation skills in the next stage of the programme: Diplomacy and Negotiations for CSOs.