How AI is Transforming Legal Education

Tapan R. Mohanty, Professor of Sociology of Law, National Law Institute University, provided his views on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is influencing and transforming traditional legal education and pedagogy. He focused on how AI is transforming classroom learning, moving from rote memorization of facts to the development of critical thinking skills and allowing for more interdisciplinary modes of teaching law. He highlighted the most promising AI technologies and applications used in law schools today, the importance of AI in helping students to become better skilled in legal research and case review contexts, and the process of using AI simulations to better prepare students for real trial experiences while enhancing professor and educator effectiveness.

Prof. (Dr) Tapan R. Mohanty has worked on globalization, tribal development, sustainable development, and sociology of law, and over 70 research papers published in national and international journals. He has led several significant projects for the World Bank, UNFPA and the Ministry of Law. He is an Erasmus-Mundus Fellow and is a member of several associations in sociology.

How is AI transforming traditional legal education and teaching methods? What are the most promising AI tools being used in law schools today?

In recent times, AI has become the buzzword in every field. With a potential to significantly transform our world, the way we understand and act. It has emerged both as a facilitator and disrupter at the same time. Needless to add, it has also affected legal education by transforming the teaching learning methods. The movement from classroom to virtual classes, from rote learning to critical thinking, from subject specific text to interdisciplinary approach, from traditional to transactional lawyering, court room to simulated case analysis the legal education has transformed beyond imagination.

AI is making other tools outdated and brought a paradigm shift. Simulated mock trials, virtual debate on international affairs, sharing of memorials and automated analysis has spectacularly changed learning dynamics. The most important AI tools are in use today are Gemini, ChatGPT and Perplexity more as search and analytical tools.   

Can AI help law students improve legal research and case analysis skills? How will AI impact the role of professors and educators in legal training?

I would answer the question in affirmative. AI has tremendous ability to help students in improving their ability to do legal research and case analysis. Like other fields of study, legal research extensive analysis of available literature, culling out of cases, interpretation of legal statutes, comparative study of legal culture etc. and AI has made them accessible instantly. In the context of common law countries there is a lot to learn from each other in terms of the way judicial system is dealing with contemporary challenges arising out technology which is cybercrime, robotics, AI, genetics etc. However, case analysis skill is more of a cognitive skill than mere analysis of date though AI may help the process.

Secondly, the AI has made it possible for professors and legal educators in remaining abreast of latest trend in legal research, expectations of students and innovative methods of teaching. AI can provide a lot of information and practices in engaging students and provide new insights pertaining to case analysis and interpretation. The digital intervention has created a lot of opportunities and has opened new vistas and AI has just stimulated the process of teaching and learning. It has proved beneficial in teaching international law, environmental law, IPR, taxation, to name a few.

Also Read: What Qualifications do you need to have to be a Lawyer?

What are the ethical implications of using AI in legal education? How can AI-powered simulations prepare students for real-world courtroom scenarios?

The question has two parts, hence, let me answer them sequentially. First, it is essential to recognize that ethics is an important aspect of education. Education devoid of ethics is like mind without heart. Therefore, ethics is an important part of any tool and technology that we use for human development and AI is no exception. In fact, the more a technology offers, the more is the responsibility in using it, be it arms or the atom bomb.

One of the challenges of increasing access to internet and search engines has been the data piracy and plagiarism. The use of ChatGPT and AI has only increased the possibility and consequent problem manifold. Without ethics it will kill the spirit of innovation and research. Therefore, it is imperative to make a balance between access to information and conscientious use of information.

As far as the capability of AI simulation is concerned it is absolutely a fantastic tool. Teaching law through case simulation and experiencing trials in real time is one of the most sophisticated and innovative practice in legal education. Needless to add, this cutting-edge technology sharpened through AI has far reaching benefits in making legal education dynamic, deterritorialized and interdisciplinary. Its judicious use will revolutionize legal education across the globe. 

Also Read: Practice Ready Legal Education In India

Will AI reduce the need for rote learning in law schools? How can law schools integrate AI into their curriculum without compromising critical thinking?

Though most law schools started as an antidote to rote learning but over the years they have fallen into the trap. The law schools still teach courses and conduct examinations which focus on rote learning but this need to be change as we focus on critical thinking, originality and interdisciplinarity. The Moot courts and internships have certainly helped the students in transferring their focus from pedantry to practice but much of the end term examinations and project works is either required rote learning or memorization or have been reduced paraphrased plagiarism. In their focus and specialization though law schools are better off than others but unless the fundamentals are changed employment will be available to few in next decade despite tremendous opportunities. But the strategic and ethical use of AI will become a game changer in shifting the focus from rote learning to critical thinking.

The effective use of AI will bring a cataclysmic change when it used to leverage access to information at a lightning speed, reduce duplications, provide cross references, delve into the dynamics of cross-cultural comparisons of legal studies and differences in experiencing in law. None of these will reduce creativity or stifle innovation.       

How are top law schools around the world leveraging AI for student success? How will AI shape the future careers of law graduates?

The use of ICT (information and communication technology) and IoT (Internet of Things) are in use in top law schools since a last few years bringing a qualitative transformation in teaching-learning process. The use of AI has only furthered the process. In fact, most law schools are using AI to gather information and data from field of technology and medicine to inform legal studies and by extension the students to have a grip with these subjects so that they can address the issues when legal redressal is required. The development of Telecommunication Laws, Cyber Law, Medical and Forensic Law, Biotechnology Law, Intellectual Property Rights Law, and Corporate Law require such infusion of Knowledge.

Further, The rise and success of frontier areas of law which is Alternative Dispute Resolution, Fintech Laws, Infotech Laws, Sports Laws cannot be effective taught and practiced without suffusing law with adequate and latest information from diverse fields and AI has enabled that. In this sense AI is an enabler and this will help legal education leverage itself by providing quality, creative and innovative teaching, research and classroom interaction.

As Victo Hugo once said, nobody can stop an idea whose time has come’, and it truly applies to AI. The AI-driven research and teaching will make better law graduates in future and reduce the gap between students from developed and developing countries. It will make them aware of the global standards and forced them compete at a global level - this making learning standardized and qualitative.

In this context, the role of teachers will be more important in making the students concerned about their role in society by developing social consciousness, enjoying their profession and remained in loop with the ‘real world’, the artificial intelligence should not take away the emotional intelligence and human consciousness. But that requires modern day teachers to be two steps ahead by becoming tech savvy and vanguard of consciousness and social commitment.