Following the University of Sydney’s announcement permitting students to use AI in their academic assignments, its interim deputy head of school and dean and two former law students discuss generative AI’s impact on legal education at the University of Sydney, highlighting its advantages and potential pitfalls.
Advantages:
– Generative AI can enhance legal studies by processing vast amounts of data and summarising complex documents.
– It is a powerful learning tool, aiding in concept exploration, work planning, and search strategies.
– AI promotes inclusivity, helping non-native speakers understand complex legal concepts and providing personalised learning support.
– It fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills through iterative refining of prompts.
– AI improves efficiency in legal research, allowing students to focus more on applying legal principles.
Potential Pitfalls:
– Inappropriate use of AI tools could hinder skill development.
AI may struggle to capture the nuances and subtleties of legal practice, potentially affecting the quality of assessment responses.
– There are concerns about AI misinterpreting practice questions designed to test students’ knowledge.
Overall, it emphasises the need for students to view AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for essential skills and critical thinking.
Source: Lawyers Weekly
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