AI has the potential to transform law education, but several challenges must be addressed at the implementation, policy, and institutional levels
With the Supreme Court emphasizing technology integration, lower courts are likely to see an increasing presence of technically proficient lawyers. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gradually transforming legal education, though a significant technical divide remains. The lack of formal AI integration into legal education in Indian colleges is a major issue that needs to be addressed systematically.
Increasing Efficiency
A structured introduction to AI in the legal curriculum can better prepare students to use technology in addressing real-world challenges. Vageshwari Deswal, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, explains, “Colleges can enhance students’ understanding of complex legal theories, case law, and statutes through AI tools. These technologies provide quick access to vast amounts of data, making legal research simpler. Simulated classrooms, tech-enabled virtual client counseling sessions, and mock interactions with AI chatbots can better equip students for real courtroom experiences. However, students must learn that AI cannot contextualize data nor replace human reasoning, logic, or judgment.”
Sudhanshu Chandra, Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator at the Law School, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, adds, “AI will greatly benefit legal research. Given that legal education emphasizes writing and drafting skills, AI-powered writing assistants can significantly improve this process. Tools like Brief Catch and AI-based contract drafting platforms can enhance students’ writing by suggesting improvements in clarity, coherence, and legal accuracy. Additionally, AI can aid in drafting contracts, legal memos, and briefs, providing students valuable insights into legal drafting practices.”
Pedagogical Training
The successful integration of AI into legal education will depend on faculty support. Law schools must implement faculty training programs focused on AI-assisted legal research, data analytics, and AI ethics in law. V Shyam Kishore, Dean at Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru, emphasizes, “The integration of AI is an ongoing process that requires adapting to technology while preserving the core principles of legal education.”
Before AI is incorporated into the curriculum, it is crucial to educate students, faculty, and administrators about AI’s functionalities, benefits, and limitations. Understanding and utilizing AI tools will become a fundamental skill, much like how legal professionals today are expected to use MS Office, legal research databases, and citation tools. In the future, AI literacy will be a baseline requirement in many fields, including the legal sector.
Striking a Balance
The integration of AI into the legal curriculum must be approached thoughtfully, considering the risks of unchecked or unverified AI usage. Prateek Som, Advocate at the Supreme Court, says, “Colleges should include AI ethics, data privacy, and algorithmic bias in the curriculum. As laws increasingly intersect with technology, legal professionals must be aware of AI’s risks, including misinformation and ethical dilemmas, in order to regulate it effectively. Students should also be taught the importance of rigorous fact-checking. Even prosecuting and regulatory agencies are using AI-based apps to track cybercriminals.”
The legal sector is rapidly adopting AI-driven tools, with numerous software applications already available for legal research, contract automation, litigation support, and compliance monitoring. Kishore notes, “Many of these tools are already in use by law firms and legal institutions to streamline processes, improve research capabilities, and enhance efficiency. However, most AI-powered solutions are designed for global markets and need to be adapted to India’s unique legal framework, multilingual judicial system, and complex statutes. Tools like Manupatra, SCC Online, and Casemine are incorporating AI features to assist students and legal professionals in conducting faster, more accurate searches and obtaining relevant case law citations. AI-based contract review and document automation tools such as SpotDraft, Kira Systems, Lucio, Harvey AI, and LexCheck are helping streamline contract drafting, risk assessment, and compliance tracking.”
Governance Mechanisms
Currently, no national regulatory framework governs the use of AI in law schools, as the Bar Council of India (BCI) has yet to update its policies to reflect AI’s growing role. Kishore stresses, “There is a need for AI governance mechanisms in law schools to regulate AI’s ethical and pedagogical use. AI ethics committees should be formed to monitor AI-assisted legal research, prevent academic dishonesty, and ensure that AI-driven assessments maintain fairness and integrity. These committees should align with ethical AI guidelines, such as those from NITI Aayog, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and international standards like those set by OECD and UNESCO.”
The European Union’s AI Act offers a precedent with its risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems according to their potential harm. “India could adopt a similar model to regulate AI based on its risks, ensuring stricter oversight in high-risk sectors like healthcare, finance, and legal tech. India could also establish innovation sandboxes—controlled environments where AI technologies can be tested under regulatory supervision—to encourage startups and legal tech firms to innovate responsibly while ensuring compliance,” says Som.
“AI has the potential to transform India’s legal system and legal education, but issues related to its implementation, misuse, and manipulation of policies must be addressed to integrate AI responsibly. This will maximize its benefits while minimizing risks,” concludes Chandra.
