Universities have been urged to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the training of lawyers as technology continues to reshape the economy and professional practice.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said although AI has its shortcomings, embracing the technology in learning and professional practice would help simplify work and improve efficiency among legal practitioners.
Mutunga spoke at Zetech University during the unveiling of beneficiaries of the TechSheria scholarship programme, which will provide full tuition support to selected students pursuing Bachelor of Laws degrees.
He challenged institutions of higher learning to embrace emerging technologies and equip students with the skills needed to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
“I think in my view that is important because as lawyers, we tend to say we know everything, but we don’t. As lawyers who are practising, using it makes work easier,” Mutunga said.
He recounted how he had personally used AI to assist him in his work, saying the technology had proved useful in developing written content.
“I have positively used it before where I wanted to write an article of 35 pages and it was 100 pages. It helped me,” he said.
Zetech University Faculty of Law Dean of Students Dr Eric Kibet said AI had become central to the institution’s approach to legal education, but students were being trained to use it responsibly.
“Our law school programme in our university is oriented for technology, and therefore AI is very central. We are not fighting AI. We are embracing it,” Kibet said.
He said the university had developed guidelines and a policy to ensure students use AI to enhance rather than undermine their learning.
“We are also careful to be sure that our students use it ethically in a way that enhances their learning, not suppress or reduce their learning,” he said.
Kibet added that students were also taught about the limitations of AI and how to use the technology without compromising their cognitive abilities or professional ethics.
“We train our students to use AI and use it ethically in ways that improve and enhance their learning. We also take them through areas of caution so that they are able to use AI in ways that make them better lawyers, rather than reducing their cognitive abilities,” he said.
Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs Prof Alice Njuguna hailed the TechSheria scholarship as an important investment in expanding access to legal education.
“This scholarship that we unveiled today provides 100 per cent social support for the approved Bachelor of Laws programme,” Njuguna said.
She challenged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by maintaining high academic and administrative standards.
“It sets you now to a new level because you have to execute academically, and you have to also be administratively compliant. To us, this is a significant investment in the students’ education and the future,” she said.
The beneficiaries, who have demonstrated leadership in different capacities, said the scholarship would enable them to pursue their ambition of becoming lawyers and contribute to addressing injustices in their communities.
Led by Wambui Muthoni, the students said their decision to pursue law had been influenced by injustices they had witnessed in their communities, including land grabbing, fraud and deceit.
They expressed hope that their legal education would equip them with the knowledge and skills to advocate for justice and better serve society.
