Train students to use artificial intelligence tools responsibly, CJI tells law schools

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged law schools to prepare students to utilize artificial intelligence tools responsibly, stating that technology should enhance rather than diminish the fairness of justice, in a recent address at the Vice Chancellors’ Conclave organized by National Law University, Jodhpur. Kant emphasized that students must comprehend technology not as an external entity, but as an integral part of the evolving legal landscape they will engage with post-graduation.

He underscored that the responsibility of law schools extends beyond merely acquainting students with new technologies; they must also cultivate within students the necessary judgment, adaptability, and ethical grounding to employ these tools responsibly, regardless of their future career paths.

Kant acknowledged the apprehension within the legal community regarding the potential risks associated with newer generative AI tools, acknowledging the instinct to limit their use in educational settings. Nevertheless, he contended that prohibition is an ineffective solution, as necessary changes will occur regardless of institutional comfort.

Instead, Kant advocated for integrating these technologies into the curriculum in a transparent and supervised manner, enabling students to not only learn how to employ them but also to do so appropriately and ethically. He highlighted that the dual concerns of artificial intelligence and academic integrity are paramount issues that legal education must address urgently.

Kant concluded that rather than merely adapting to technological advancements, law schools should aim to anticipate and influence these changes, ensuring that technology is directed towards upholding the law and the values it seeks to protect.