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The Rise of AI in Boston’s legal Landscape

Boston is not just a city with historical significance; it is rapidly becoming a hub for advancements in artificial intelligence and the law. One of the key developments is Boston University School of Law’s plan to launch an innovative AI certificate program by fall 2026. This program aims to train future lawyers in the ethical and effective utilization of AI technologies in their legal practices.

The initiative signifies a growing acknowledgment within legal education that AI is not just a passing trend but rather a foundational element that is increasingly integrated into legal research, writing, and practice. Law school administrators emphasize that this program is designed to equip students with crucial knowledge about emerging tools, while also addressing the ethical and professional challenges that these technologies bring to the forefront of the legal landscape.

Building a Comprehensive AI-Focused legal Curriculum

The Vice Dean of Law, Steven Marks, stated that the school initiated this program in direct response to rapidly evolving changes within the legal industry. The administration is committed to developing a comprehensive curriculum that students will need to follow in order to earn this certificate.

Upon successfully completing the program, students will have demonstrable experience in employing AI tools within a legal context, making them more attractive to potential employers. This program aims to augment traditional legal education, rather than replacing it, by adding layers of technical literacy and ethical understanding to the foundational legal skills already being taught.

Ethics, Bias, and Confidentiality: A Focused Approach

A core component of this initiative is its strong emphasis on ethical considerations, particularly those related to client confidentiality and the risk of bias in AI systems. Given that many AI platforms rely on extensive datasets that may contain skewed or incomplete information, there are significant concerns regarding privacy.

School leaders assert that it is crucial for students to grasp not just how to use AI, but also when and how its applications could lead to legal or ethical dilemmas. “AI in law presents unique challenges, and we have to equip students with the tools to mitigate these adverse effects,” Marks pointed out.

Courses within this certificate program will directly tackle these vital issues, encouraging students to scrutinize AI outputs critically and comprehend the limitations that automated tools present in legal decision-making. This approach prepares students for the real-world implications of using AI technologies in their practice.

Faculty Adoption and Campus-Wide AI Tools

The faculty at the LAW school have responded very positively to this new initiative, according to Marks. Several courses already integrate AI tools, such as TerrierGPT and Harvey AI, allowing students to use these technologies at no cost.

TerrierGPT, a proprietary platform developed by the university, is specifically designed to ensure that students can perform research and data use securely. John Byers, the executive director for BU’s AI Development Accelerator, stated that TerrierGPT serves as a foundational resource for the program and has been updated to include more contemporary knowledge, transcription capabilities, and support for a wider array of raw text formats.

Byers also noted the increasing engagement across the campus community, reporting that around 11,000 unique users have accessed TerrierGPT, underscoring its growing importance in the academic ecosystem.

Diverse Student Perspectives Amid Skepticism

While administrators highlight the program’s objectives of preparation and adaptability, not all students view the implementation of AI in legal education with enthusiasm. Second-year LAW student Brendan Hamaty expressed mixed feelings, recognizing the potential advantages of the certificate in the competitive job market but remaining skeptical about AI’s broader implications for legal thought.

Hamaty criticized AI as a form of “offshoring your thinking skills,” labeling it an “antihuman enterprise.” He is concerned that reliance on AI could jeopardize essential legal practices such as close reading, critical reasoning, and attention to detail. “Even if AI can extract useful information from a case, it could detract from the sharpening of one’s legal acumen,” he argues, echoing a larger debate about the balance between efficiency and the intrinsic depth required in legal analysis.

Adapting to a Transforming legal Industry

Despite the skepticism expressed by some students, Timothy Duncan, the director of the AI program, reaffirms that the initiative is intentionally structured to prepare students for a legal industry that is already in a state of flux. The future of legal roles may be compromised or altered by the growing presence of automation, making this training all the more critical.

“Graduates from BU LAW will be exceptionally prepared to navigate this environment and adapt to its needs,” Duncan indicated. “While I don’t foresee AI replacing lawyers, the roles within legal professions will inevitably change.”

In this light, tools like the AI legalese decoder can serve as invaluable resources, helping legal professionals and students demystify complex legal jargon and enhance their understanding of legal documents. This can rule out ambiguities and improve the clarity of legal arguments—essential components in the increasingly automated landscape of law.

Cisco’s chief executive has warned that the current AI gold rush will eventually lead to a reckoning, emphasizing the need for legal professionals to remain prepared and adaptable in the face of change.

By adopting a multifaceted and ethically aware approach, Boston University’s initiative exemplifies how legal education can evolve in tandem with technology.

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