Class Is in Session: How some law schools are training students in generative AI

Legal Education

As law schools continue to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), many institutions are now incorporating AI-centric courses into their curriculum. The initial skepticism following the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022 has given way to a more nuanced approach, with law schools now recognizing the potential benefits of integrating AI into their teaching methods.

Hands-on Experiences

Law schools are now offering a range of AI-related courses that not only examine the ethical uses of AI but also provide hands-on experiences for students. These courses often utilize AI-generated simulators to allow students to practice contract negotiations, court appearances, and other legal procedures in a virtual environment.

Contract Negotiation Simulator
Court Appearance Simulator
Divorce and End-of-Life Document Handling

These simulations enable students to develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, in a controlled and low-stakes environment. By doing so, law schools aim to equip students with the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate the increasingly complex legal landscape.

Case Studies

Several law schools have developed AI-powered tools that simulate real-world legal scenarios, allowing students to engage with AI-generated characters and role-play. These tools are designed to mimic the personalities and thinking of senior lawyers, providing students with a unique opportunity to practice their skills in a realistic and immersive environment.

Law School	Ai-Powered Tool	Description
Suffolk Law School	Moot a Case	A bot that simulates a judge and allows students to practice their oral arguments.
Suffolk Law School	Go Socrates	A tool that conducts a Socratic method with cases, allowing students to engage with AI-generated arguments.
Suffolk Law School	Distill & Question	A tool that allows students to upload case documents and receive a summary, then engage in a question-and-answer session.

Clinics

Law schools are also incorporating AI-powered clinics into their curriculum, providing students with hands-on experience in using AI tools to deliver legal services. These clinics often focus on specific areas, such as divorce and end-of-life planning, and aim to make legal services more accessible and affordable for individuals.

Online Dispute Resolution Innovation Clinic
Artificial Intelligence and the Law Clinic
Legal Innovation & Technology Lab

These clinics not only provide students with valuable practical experience but also equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively with AI tools in the legal profession.

Expert Insights

Several experts in the field of AI and law share their insights on the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating AI into legal education. “Now is when the rubber meets the road,” says Daniel W. Linna, the law and technology initiatives director at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. “We’ve got to take some of these experiments and turn them into substantive changes in our courses; our curricula; and, in the case of clinics and legal services delivery, real tools with measurable results.”

“The stakes for aspiring lawyers are high,” notes Megan Ma, executive director of Stanford Law School’s Legal Innovation through Frontier Technology Lab. “As AI handles much of the work young associates do, the pressure is on to train future lawyers to quickly level up, and learn the skills of issue-spotting.”

“AI tools can be a game-changer for legal education,” says Mark Williams, a professor at Vanderbilt University and a founding co-director of the Vanderbilt AI Law Lab. “They can help students develop essential skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, in a controlled and low-stakes environment.”

Conclusion

As law schools continue to incorporate AI into their curriculum, it is clear that the benefits of AI-centric education are vast and far-reaching. By providing students with hands-on experiences and practical skills, law schools can equip them with the knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in the increasingly complex legal landscape. The future of legal education is bright, and AI is poised to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of lawyers.

“We’ve just come out of a little bit from hesitation of the use of AI. It takes time,” says Megan Ma, executive director of Stanford Law School’s Legal Innovation through Frontier Technology Lab.

The use of AI in legal education is a rapidly evolving field, and it is expected that we will see more innovative approaches and tools emerge in the coming years. As we look to the future, it is clear that AI will continue to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of lawyers, and law schools are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.