How It Works

Understand the mechanics – generative, pre-trained, transformers – so you know what's actually happening when AI produces an output.

Where It Fails

Hallucinations, sycophancy, the black box problem. Know the weaknesses so you can spot them before they compromise your work.

When To Use It

Learn four modes of AI use in OSINT work, and a framework for integration that keeps you in control.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The sources you collect may be AI-generated. The tools you rely on embed AI under the hood. Adversaries use it to scale influence operations. Whether you use AI operationally or not, you're working in an AI-influenced landscape – and most practitioners don't understand how the technology actually works.

This course gives you the foundation: how generative AI produces outputs, why it sometimes fabricates information, what makes different models behave differently, and a framework for integrating AI responsibly.

For practitioners who want to understand the technology critically, not chase the hype. Certificate on completion.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

2–3 hours, including videos, reading, quizzes, and one reflection activity. This course is self-paced – complete it in one sitting or return whenever it suits you.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

This course is for OSINT practitioners who want to understand AI before using it – whether you're new to the technology, using tools with AI embedded under the hood, or working in an organisation that restricts AI use but still need to understand adversary capabilities. 

It's also foundational for anyone preparing for other OSINT training where AI literacy is increasingly assumed. No prior AI experience required.

PREREQUISITES

None. This course assumes no prior AI knowledge. Familiarity with OSINT concepts and the intelligence cycle will help you get more from the examples, but isn't required.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This course is the foundation. Leveraging Generative AI for OSINT is the application. That course takes you into hands-on prompting, tool selection, workflow integration, and real-world case studies. Complete AI Primer first, then continue there.

Our other courses – including Navigating the Chinese Internet and Area and Event Assessments – increasingly assume AI literacy. Understanding how AI shapes the information environment will strengthen your work across the curriculum.

COURSE CURRICULUM

    1. Welcome

    2. Before We Begin

    3. Why This Course Matters – Even If You Can't Use It

    4. Intelligence, Information, and OSINT

    5. What is OSINT?

    6. Setting the Theme: AI as a Support Tool in OSINT

    7. Quiz: Intro to AI

    1. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

    2. What is Generative AI (Gen AI)?

    3. Where AI Shows Up

    4. Impact on Search

    5. Impact on Sources

    6. Quiz: What is AI?

    1. Why the Mechanism Matters

    2. How It Learned

    3. How It Answers

    4. What It Can See

    5. Quiz: Understanding how generative AI works

    1. Introduction: The Reality of Working with AI

    2. Hallucinations

    3. Sycophancy

    4. Non-deterministic Behaviour

    5. The Uncertainties Behind the Scenes

    6. Activity: Challenges of being non-deterministic

    7. Quiz: The Reality of Working with AI

    1. Choosing "AI"

    2. Model Types and Dials

    3. The Funnel

    4. What the Model Can Reach

    5. Same but Different? (why responses vary)

    6. Where to Start

    7. Quiz: Model Comparison

    1. Introduction: Integrating AI in your Work

    2. The Principle: AI is the assistant, never the driver

    3. Four ways we use AI

    4. Brainstorming Partner

    5. Research Assistant

    6. Analytical Partner

    7. Writing and Communications Support

    8. AI Integration Workflow

    9. Integration Workflow: The Six Steps

About this course

  • $99.00
  • 43 lessons
  • 0.5 hours of video content