Universities urged to integrate AI into legal training

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said lawyers should learn to use AI while recognising its limitations, arguing that the technology can improve efficiency and assist with routine professional tasks.

Mutunga spoke at Zetech University during the unveiling of beneficiaries of the TechSheria scholarship programme, which will provide full tuition support to selected Bachelor of Laws students.

He urged institutions of higher learning to equip law students with technological skills alongside conventional legal training to prepare them for changes in professional practice.

“I think in my view that is important because as lawyers, we tend to say we know everything, but we don't. As lawyers who are practising, using it makes work easier,” Mutunga said.

Mutunga said he had used AI in his own work, including when preparing a lengthy article.

“I have positively used it before where I wanted to write an article of 35 pages and it was 100 pages. It helped me,” he said.

Zetech University Faculty of Law Dean of Students Dr Eric Kibet said the university had incorporated AI into its legal education programme but was also teaching students about the risks and ethical considerations surrounding its use.

“Our law school programme in our university is oriented for technology, and therefore AI is very central. We are not fighting AI. We are embracing it,” Kibet said.

He said the university had developed guidelines and a policy to govern the use of AI by students, with the aim of ensuring the technology supports rather than replaces learning.

“We are also careful to be sure that our students use it ethically in a way that enhances their learning, not suppress or reduce their learning,” he said.

Kibet said students were also being taught about the limitations of AI and the need to retain their own analytical and cognitive skills.

“We train our students to use AI and use it ethically in ways that improve and enhance their learning. We also take them through areas of caution so that they are able to use AI in ways that make them better lawyers, rather than reducing their cognitive abilities,” he said.

The remarks came as the university unveiled beneficiaries of the TechSheria scholarship programme, which will cover tuition for selected students enrolled in its Bachelor of Laws programme.

Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs Prof Alice Njuguna said the beneficiaries would be expected to maintain the required academic and administrative standards.

“This scholarship that we unveiled today provides 100 per cent social support for the approved Bachelor of Laws programme,” Njuguna said.

The beneficiaries said they hoped their legal training would enable them to address injustices they had encountered in their communities.