A recent article from Reuters claimed: “More than 50% of law schools now have classes on AI,” referring to a new survey carried out by the American Bar Association. Other reports in the news and on LinkedIn conveyed a similar message.
The AI and Legal Education Survey Results 2024 survey released by the ABA’s Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence found that 55% of the law schools that responded to the survey have classes focused on teaching students about AI.
Additionally, the survey mentioned that “an overwhelming majority (83%) reported the availability of curricular opportunities, including clinics, where students can learn how to use AI tools effectively.”
However, there are 197 accredited law schools in the United States, according to the ABA. The survey was sent to 200 law school deans, suggesting that some unaccredited schools were included.
Out of those 200 schools, only 29 responded.
When the survey claimed that 55% of respondents now offer AI classes, it referred to 16 law schools.
Consider this: 16 law schools make up only 8% of all law schools, not 55%.
Similarly, the 83% reporting curricular opportunities translate to 24 schools or just 12% of all law schools.
The authors explicitly mentioned that the survey is “not a scientifically reliable measure of how legal education as a whole is responding to AI,” pointing out the limited sample size and potential response bias.
Nevertheless, the survey draws sweeping conclusions, including this one:
“Overall, the survey suggests that AI significantly impacts legal education and is likely to result in additional changes in the years ahead. With most responding law schools offering dedicated AI courses and providing opportunities for students to engage with AI tools, it is evident that legal education is evolving to meet the demands of a profession increasingly shaped by technological advancements.”
One of the individuals who conducted the survey was Andrew Perlman, dean of Suffolk University Law School. When asked about the significance of the findings, given the low response rate, he stated:
“As noted in the report, the low response rate makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about what law schools are doing. For example, it’s certainly possible that law schools already doing more work in this area were more inclined to respond to the survey, making it seem like a more significant percentage of law schools are already adapting.
“That said, I think the survey can be read to mean that many law schools are responding aggressively to general developments related to AI and generative AI. I view the survey results as a sign of what is to come regarding legal education, even if the survey may not be a valid measure of what’s currently going on at every school.”
Perlman’s more measured view seems more accurate. Undoubtedly, those law schools that now offer AI classes are harbingers of what will come.
But do more than half of law schools now offer classes on AI? This survey does not answer that question.
My own scientifically unreliable guess: I highly doubt it.
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