Law schools urged to embed practical AI training in legal education
Legal educators say law schools should formally train students on using artificial intelligence tools in real-world legal practice, not just explain what they are, to help graduates exploit technology responsibly and effectively.
With AI tools now widely available to legal professionals, educators and practitioners argue that law schools should integrate practical AI instruction into curricula rather than leave students to learn informally.
The article describes a semester-long experiment in an Entrepreneurship Clinic where students were trained on legal AI tools from platforms such as Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw, with exercises designed to show both advantages and limitations of these systems.
In structured exercises, students used different AI products to carry out tasks like drafting, research and client communication, revealing that tools vary widely in capabilities and reinforcing the importance of independent legal judgement.
Educators emphasise that AI should be taught as a complement to legal reasoning, not a substitute, and that understanding how and when to verify AI outputs is essential for responsible practice.
The article concludes that clarifying the distinction between AI as a tool and as a crutch will help prepare future lawyers to use technology ethically and competently in both transactional work and litigation.
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