How Law Schools Are Embracing AI

As generative AI and other AI tools gain traction in our industry, law firms are exploring how to use them to streamline operations and boost productivity. We’ve been curious about how law schools are getting students practice ready with AI skills to meet their future employers’ needs.

According to responses to this survey on how law schools are integrating AI technology into their curricula, law schools are following law firms’ lead when it comes to embracing AI — which is to say that some are all in, while others are holding off, at least for now.

Below is a look at the good and the bad from the survey.

The good news

A positive takeaway is that law schools are adding AI classes and certificate programs, largely to meet legal employers’ demand for lawyers with AI skills and knowledge. Some law schools are offering AI-focused clinics and intensives. In some cases, these programs are collaborating with engineering and data science departments to offer courses on the intersection of law and technology, and exploring topics like the impact of AI in legal operations, privacy and ethics. AI offerings vary widely among schools. Some classes have a broad focus, such as Big Tech and the First Amendment. Others provide hands-on learning in experiential classes, giving students practice using AI tools in legal settings.

The meh news

Despite these encouraging signs, we have to call out what others have flagged about the survey: Of the 200 schools surveyed, only 29 responded.

“I mean come on law school deans,” said a Richmond Law professor. “I am unsure if you were too embarrassed to disclose you are doing nothing on this front or were too busy designing AI-focused projects and curriculum (unlikely) to answer a survey — but we can do better.”

The survey authors acknowledged the limited sample size. Yet the narrow scope makes it tough to draw meaningful conclusions about how effectively law schools are incorporating AI into their curriculum. This makes it difficult to gauge how prepared young lawyers will be with AI skills when they graduate and begin their legal careers. The pace of change with technology makes navigating the transition from law school to legal practice even tougher. (It hasn’t even been two years since ChatGPT was introduced!)

But if anyone is up for the challenge, it may be today’s young lawyers. As digital natives, they may be best positioned to embrace AI tools and become the AI implementers in their firms.

Are younger lawyers the AI leaders in your firm? Let us know!