Recent discourse on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) courses in legal education has revealed discrepancies in available data, prompting a closer examination of the American Bar Association (ABA) survey. Although the ABA survey found that 55% of responding law schools offer AI courses, it is essential to consider that only 29 out of 200 law schools responded, meaning just 16 schools—or 8%—actually offer these courses.
An alternative compilation of AI-related legal courses, maintained by Professor April Dawson at North Carolina Central University School of Law and Daniel W. Linna Jr., a senior lecturer at Northwestern University Law School, may provide a more comprehensive overview. Their list, which relies on self-reporting by instructors, features descriptions of over 100 courses globally, albeit not all within law schools or even in the U.S.
- According to the list, 62 U.S. law schools offer AI-related courses, which equates to around 31% of all U.S. law schools—a significant increase from the 8% reported by the ABA survey.
- The compiled data also suggests that Suffolk University Law School leads with seven AI-related courses, followed by North Carolina Central University School of Law and the University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Law, each offering four courses.
Despite more granular detail offered by this alternative list, it remains incomplete. For example, Ed Walters, a Fastcase founder, teaches multiple AI-related courses at Georgetown Law School and Cornell Law School, which are reportedly not featured on the list. This underscores the need for continuous updates and community engagement to maintain accuracy.
Legal professionals might find this diversified approach in reporting AI-related courses useful. It provides a broader view of how legal education institutions are adapting to the evolving demand for AI expertise. However, the ongoing expansion and thorough documentation of such courses remain crucial.