Mississippi College School of Law has instituted a requirement for all incoming first-year students to take an AI course, as reported by Mississippi Today. This move positions the Jackson-based institution among the pioneers in integrating mandatory AI education within law schools.
As courts navigate the dual-edged sword of AI’s potential and pitfalls in legal practice, this educational shift gains significance. Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court highlighted in 2024 that generative AI poses risks by fabricating data and referencing fictitious cases, which threatens judicial reliability and due process.
In a recent February ruling, a federal judge determined that interactions with AI chatbots do not enjoy attorney-client privilege protection and may be used as evidence. This decision has led law firms nationwide to alert clients and revise agreements, as the legal industry increasingly adopts AI technologies. Consequently, law schools are adapting to this evolving landscape.
Announced in October, Mississippi College School of Law’s new AI course mandates first-year students to earn a certification focused on artificial intelligence within the legal field. The program aims to equip students with skills for responsible AI usage and output verification.
“MC Law is at the forefront in equipping twenty-first-century lawyers for effective and ethical AI use, benefiting clients and communities,” stated Dean John P. Anderson of Mississippi College School of Law.
The course was developed by Oliver Roberts, who serves as editor-in-chief of AI at The National Law Review and founder of Wickard AI. “Whether you are pro or against AI, understanding its foundational concepts is essential for crafting stronger arguments on either side,” Roberts expressed to Mississippi Today.
Mississippi College School of Law joins a growing number of institutions offering courses in AI fundamentals. A March proposal in California suggested mandatory AI training for law students.
This course requirement reflects a broader trend as legal institutions prepare future lawyers to engage with AI technologies entering the field, coinciding with judicial experiments with similar tools.
Last month, Los Angeles Superior Court piloted Learned Hand, an AI system designed to streamline case management by summarizing filings, organizing evidence, and drafting rulings. “Courts are overwhelmed and facing increased caseloads without additional resources,” noted Shlomo Klapper, founder of Learned Hand, in a conversation with Decrypt. He added that AI advancements significantly reduce litigation costs.