ONLINE PROGRAM with one week in Rome and field visit in Brussels, offered by the ELGS Rome.
The Program
The LLM in AI, Ethics, Regulation, and Innovation is a prestigious one-year postgraduate program designed to address the increasing need for interdisciplinary knowledge at the intersection of law, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. It prepares professionals to navigate the legal, ethical, and regulatory challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This program offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates Law, Technology, and Policy in a practice-oriented approach. It is suitable for students from both legal and technical backgrounds, with tailored bridging modules to ensure accessibility and depth for all participants.
The curriculum covers essential topics including artificial intelligence systems, data governance, platform regulation, algorithmic justice, and international regulatory frameworks. It places a special focus on the European regulatory landscape, particularly the EU AI Act and related frameworks, while also providing comparative perspectives from global developments.
Taught by a distinguished faculty of academics, EU officials, and AI practitioners, the program combines rigorous academic study with practical experience through policy labs, real-world case studies, internships, and visits to key EU institutions.
Delivered in a flexible hybrid format, combining in-person sessions in Rome (for one week in Spring) and a field visit in Brussels with online learning, the program offers international exposure and is designed for postgraduate students interested in the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of AI. Graduates will be prepared to contribute effectively to AI governance, compliance, and policy-making in evolving sectors.
Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee of the LL.M. in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation is composed of distinguished experts who have contributed to the academic design of the program, provide scholarly oversight and serve as academic advisors and tutors within the program:
- Dr. Maria-Oraiozili Koutsoupia , Founder of Rythmisis AI Law Institute, AI legal expert and policy legal officer
- Dr. Mihalis Kritikos, Secretary of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) and Senior Policy Analyst at the Ethics and Integrity Sector of the European Commission (DG-Research and Innovation)
- Assoc. Professor Luca Lantero, Director of the Institute for Higher Education Law and Governance (IHELG) and Resident Lecturer at the European Law and Governance School (ELGS of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
- Assoc. Professor Theodora Papadopoulou, Resident Lecturer at the European Law and Governance School (ELGS) of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
To Whom it is Addressed
This program is suitable for:
- Law graduates and those working in legal fields who wish to specialize in the regulation of AI, data protection, digital platforms, and emerging technologies
- Individuals in public and private sectors (AI companies) involved in compliance, data ethics, digital rights, or the implementation of AI technologies in institutional settings
- Policymakers, regulators, and civil servants working on legal frameworks, governance models, and strategic innovation across jurisdictions
- Graduates from related disciplines, such as political science, governance, economics or technology policy, seeking to develop legal fluency and deepen their understanding of the regulatory and ethical aspects of AI and digital innovation
Career Prospects
The program prepares graduates from legal, policy, or technical backgrounds for roles within EU institutions, regulatory agencies, legal-tech companies, and AI policy and compliance teams (private sector). Through a combination of academic rigor, practical training, and international perspectives, it develops the skills needed to address real-world regulatory challenges effectively.
A key feature of the curriculum is a capstone visit to EU institutions, providing direct exposure to the policymaking environment. This experience strengthens graduates’ ability to contribute to AI regulation developments in Europe and beyond.
Benefits
- A 360 approach of the legal aspects of AI
- Interdisciplinary. Combines contemporary issues with fundamental knowledge.
- Flexible format, online taught courses with in-person field trips
- Capstone visit to EU institutions in Brussels
- One week teaching courses in Rome
- A la carte courses offered separately for professionals
- Accomodation fees included in the Program fees
This program is endorsed by Rythmisis Institute.
Program Content
The EPLO LLM in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation is a one-year degree programs with a thesis requirement, earning a total of 90 ECTS credits. The academic approach combines classic lectures, interactive seminars, and, where appropriate, practical learning methods such as moot courts, site visits, and case-based group projects.
- All courses are compulsory for full-time students.
- Separate courses can be offered on an à-la carte basis to interested students upon the payment of the respective fee. The à-la carte participants are entitled to receive a certificate of attendance.
Hence, students enrolled in the LLM in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation (hereinafter “LLM”) must successfully complete 10 modules, followed by a 15,000-word final thesis.The program takes an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, covering legal, technological, ethical, and regulatory contents:
Courses
Curriculum modules, academic year 2026/2027:
Modules (10)
- AI Systems and Legal Foundations: This module introduces core concepts in AI (machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing and computer vision) tailored for students without a technical background. It also explores the legal and regulatory implications of these technologies, bridging technical foundations with legal theory and real-world applications.
- EU and International Legal Framework on AI: This module examines the legal and regulatory frameworks governing Artificial Intelligence (AI) at European Union and international level. It focuses on the EU’s risk-based regulatory model, particularly the Artificial Intelligence Act, and analyses its interaction with data protection law, fundamental rights, product safety, and liability regimes. The course also explores global AI governance initiatives within the United Nations, the OECD, and the Council of Europe, assessing the role of international law, soft law instruments, and standard-setting bodies in shaping emerging norms. Emphasis is placed on regulatory design, enforcement challenges, and the geopolitical dimensions of AI governance.
- Digital Markets and Platform Regulation: This module explores the EU’s evolving regulatory framework for digital platforms, with a focus on the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), competition law and liability regimes. It addresses key issues such as content moderation, market dominance, data access, and platform accountability. Students will examine how regulatory tools are used to govern online markets and ensure fairness, transparency and innovation.
- Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Law, Financial Crime, and Justice Systems: This course examines the deployment and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in criminal law, anti-money laundering enforcement, predictive policing, and judicial decision-making in both criminal and civil justice systems. It critically analyses the use of algorithmic risk assessment, surveillance technologies, financial intelligence tools, and automated decision-support systems, assessing their compatibility with due process, fair trial guarantees, data protection standards, and fundamental rights. Particular attention is paid to regulatory constraints under EU law, including the Artificial Intelligence Act, as well as broader rule-of-law and accountability implications in the digitalization of justice.
- Legal Research Methods for Technology and AI Law: Training in academic legal writing, comparative methodology, empirical legal studies and interdisciplinary AI research.
Global AI Regulation: Policy, Law and Geopolitics This course examines the emerging global regulatory landscape governing Artificial Intelligence (AI), analysing the interaction between national legislation, regional frameworks, and international governance initiatives. It explores competing regulatory models, with particular attention to the European Union’s approach under the Artificial Intelligence Act, and assesses developments within multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the OECD, and the G7.
The course situates AI regulation within broader geopolitical dynamics, including technological competition, digital sovereignty, standard-setting, and regulatory diffusion, enabling students to critically evaluate the legal and policy implications of AI governance in a fragmented international order. - AI & Intellectual Property Rights: Examines the impact of AI on copyright, patents, and other intellectual property rights. Focuses on legal challenges arising from AI-generated content and innovations.
- Smart Contracts, Blockchain & Law: Explores the legal status of smart contracts, decentralized technologies, and the regulation of digital assets. Addresses emerging legal issues in blockchain ecosystems.
- AI in Education: Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law This module examines the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational systems through the lens of human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law. It analyses the use of algorithmic assessment, learning analytics, automated decision-making, and surveillance technologies in schools and higher education, assessing their implications for equality, non-discrimination, academic freedom, data protection, and children’s rights. Particular attention is paid to regulatory safeguards under EU law, including the Artificial Intelligence Act and the General Data Protection Regulation, as well as broader constitutional and international human rights standards governing digital transformation in education.
- AI and Standardization/Standards: Addresses the role of standards in AI development and regulation. Explores technical and legal dimensions of AI standardization efforts at national and international levels.
- AI and Healthcare Law: This module examines the EU legal and regulatory framework for AI applications in healthcare. Topics include compliance with the AI Act for high-risk medical AI systems, GDPR rules for sensitive health data, Medical Device Regulation (MDR) requirements, regulatory approval processes for AI-driven medical technologies and EU initiatives promoting safe digital health innovation and interoperability.
Admissions Requirements and Procedures
Required documents to apply for admission:
To apply for a program, students must first review the application form and its requirements to ensure the collection of appropriate material. By the time they have gathered all documentation, they should proceed with payment of the one-time application fee either at the relevant online portal or via a bank transfer. Students should always add their surname, initial letter of their first name and Degree title in the deposit description. They can then proceed with their application which can only be conducted online and submit it along with the supporting documentation, listed below.
Students will be asked first to select the campus of preference
All support documents must be in electronic format and uploaded to be sent with the application, except for the 2 reference letters, which should be emailed directly from Referees to LLM admissions at AI_llm@elgs.eu . Students may be invited to be interviewed. Link to the application process here.
At a glance, the application must include:
1. Completed online Application Form in English
2. Photograph and ID (scanned and uploaded)
3. Most Recent Academic Record, Undergraduate Degree (scanned and uploaded)
4. Certificate of Proficiency in English (if non-native speaker, scanned and uploaded)
5. Personal Statement with Scholarship request if applicable (400-600 words)
7. Two Reference Letters: one compulsory and one optional (To be sent directly from the Referee to AI_llm@elgs.eu)
9. Application fee of 50€ ( non-refundable)Applications for Session 2026/2027 are open for submission until June 2026.
Application
To apply for EPLO’s LLM in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation, students must first complete the application form and submit the relevant documents to be considered for admission. Given its interdisciplinary nature, the EPLO LLM in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation is open to any prospective applicant with background in law, political science, international relations, governance studies, business, international and European studies and/or related fields. Applicants with a particularly competitive profile with evidence of relevant professional experience and long-term dedication to the field will also be considered.
To apply for a program, students must first review the application form and its requirements to ensure the collection of appropriate material. By the time they have gathered all documentation, they should proceed with payment of the one-time application fee either at the relevant online portal or via a bank transfer. Students should always add their surname, initial letter of their first name and Degree title in the deposit description. They can then proceed with their application which can only be conducted online and submit it along with the supporting documentation, listed below.
Upon submission of your online application form, you will be requested to attach some required documents to be considered for admission. In case you face any difficulties when submitting your application form or the attachments, please send an email to AI_LLM@elgs.eu
All support documents must be in electronic format and uploaded to be sent with the application, except for the 2 reference letters, which should be emailed directly from Referees to LLM admissions at AI_llm@elgs.eu . Students may be invited to be interviewed. Link to the application process here.
At a glance, the application must include:
1. Completed online Application Form in English
2. Photograph and ID (scanned and uploaded)
3. Most Recent Academic Record, Undergraduate Degree (scanned and uploaded)
4. Certificate of Proficiency in English (if non-native speaker, scanned and uploaded)
5. Personal Statement with Scholarship request if applicable (400-600 words)
7. Two Reference Letters: one compulsory and one optional (To be sent directly from the Referee to AI_llm@elgs.eu)
9. Application fee of 50€ ( non-refundable)
Deadline
Applications for Session 2026/2027 are open for submission until June 2026.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition for EU and International students for the LLM program is 6,900€ including program-related activities (such as field trip accomodation).
Please be advised that there are other direct and indirect costs related to attendance, in addition to tuition fees, such as books, supplies, tickets and living expenses which must be considered by students when applying.
Field Trip in Brussels and in-person week in Rome
Students’ participation in both in situ acitivities, namely the field trip to Brussels and the in-person week of the LL.M. in AI, Ethics, Regulation and Innovation programme in Rome, is compulsory. Both activities are scheduled to take place in early Spring 2027. EPLO/ELGS will announce the exact dates no earlier than December 2026.
Students who have paid the full tuition fees are eligible to request reimbursement of their Brussels–Rome travel ticket, provided that the total cost does not exceed €150. In addition, students who have completed full tuition payment are entitled to seven (7) nights of accommodation in the context of the field trip activities—five (5) nights in Rome and two (2) nights in Brussels—in hotels arranged and booked by EPLO/ELGS.
‘A la carte Modality
Separate courses can be offered on an à-la carte basis to interested students upon the payment of the respective fee (€980/course). The à-la carte participants are entitled to receive a certificate of attendance.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for a select number of highly qualified students and take into consideration merit and financial needs, particularly for applicants in low and middle-income countries. EPLO would like to empower young leaders with the capacity to transform their contexts and live up to a challenging world. Awarded scholarships mostly consist of partial and (exceptionally) full tuition waivers.
If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, the appropriate box should be selected on the application form and a 400-600 word personal statement must be submitted, outlining how you satisfy the criteria.