I’ve written in the past about the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the practice of law as well as lawyers being reprimanded and punished by the courts and bar associations for improper use of AI.
I recently saw that California may be the first state to require its law schools to teach AI. California is unique in that it has law schools that are state accredited and unaccredited as well as schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association. Students from each type of school may sit for the bar exam to become lawyers, unlike in Pennsylvania, where generally students must complete their law study at an accredited law school.
Regardless of whether students may sit for the bar based on their school’s accreditation, the issue of whether students should be learning about AI is an important one since AI is ramping up faster than ever. Teaching students about the proper use of AI, its limits, and its tendency to hallucinate and make up facts and cases is vital. Further, AI’s ability to streamline and summarize work products as a cost-efficient method of practicing law and working within a client’s budget is an important benefit attorneys need to consider in their everyday practice.
AI is not going away. Regardless of strongly favorable or unfavorable opinions about the technology, it has already changed the course of society and the practice of law and will continue to do so.
Much like some schools are beginning to reteach children how to write in cursive along with skills that have been lost due to technology, schools will likely start teaching how to live and work in a society where AI is increasingly prevalent.
I heard another news story the other day that entry-level job postings have sank 35% since 2023, with AI playing a big role. High levels of layoffs in finance and technology have coincided with major hits in hiring practices due to AI.
It’s time for law schools and schools in general to focus on the purpose of education and develop students who can live and work in a new world with AI being used so heavily. While California might be the first to require law students to take courses in AI, it is likely not the last, and we may start seeing such requirements in our own area. The University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale law schools are among those adding AI to their curricula, updating classes, and training their students to understand the use of AI.
AI is here and developing faster every day. We will need greater focus from our education system – not just in law schools, but in education in general.
The Law Firm of Mark A. Sereni, PLLC is a full-service law firm in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We strive to help people, businesses and institutions throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania solve legal problems – and even prevent legal problems before they occur. To learn more about the full range of our specific practice areas, please visit www.markaserenilaw.com or contact Scott C. Gottel, Esquire at 610-565-5700 or at sgottel@markaserenilaw.com.
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