The increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various sectors necessitates legal professionals to possess a thorough grasp of this technology and its potential uses. The advent of AI has given rise to critical inquiries regarding the future of the legal profession, Harsh Gagrani, co-founder, Toprankers, told FE Education. “In order to equip aspiring lawyers for the future, it is imperative that we integrate courses on AI into the legal curriculum. This integration should encompass hands-on training and the establishment of collaborations with technology companies, ensuring that students gain a holistic grasp of the advantages of AI,” he said.
Traditional jobs which require repetitive tasks like data entry and bookkeeping are slowly becoming less important. “The rise of AI also opens up opportunities for people who want to work in AI-related jobs like data analysts, AI teachers and AI model checkers,” Asha Verma, pro vice-chancellor, dean-law school, IILM University Gurugram, said while responding to a query regarding, which job roles face the fear of becoming redundant due to the emergence of AI. “In order to stay pertinent in the AI-dominated environment, law aspirants should perceive AI as a chance rather than a threat. They should proactively pursue educational programmes and stay abreast of the most recent AI technologies being integrated into the legal sector,” she added.
Although AI is currently a worldwide phenomenon, its significant application is expected to remain limited to serving as an intelligent research tool in the near and foreseeable future. In order for AI to replace humans, it would need to comprehend complex human concepts such as emotional intelligence and intuition. “While technology may make certain jobs no longer useful, it will also create opportunities for new career paths and fulfilling roles in the times ahead,” Gagrani said.
Recognising the significant influence of technology and AI on the field of law, it is imperative to maintain a continuous process of updating existing courses and curricula to ensure the readiness of students for the future. “Integrating emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning and natural language processing can effectively bridge the divide between conventional legal education and the practical utilisation of technology within the legal profession,” Verma explained.