Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global workforce, and the legal field is no exception. Here at KU Law, AI is already changing how we interact with and master the law. The Big Two of legal research — Westlaw and LexisNexis — now feature integrated AI assistants (like Lexis+ AI) capable of summarizing complex cases and drafting memos with verified citations.

KU even offers a Legal Analytics course that specifically addresses students’ interactions with AI. Over the past year, I have integrated AI into my workflow to reinforce my learning, streamline research and polish my writing. However, a major disclaimer is necessary: AI is a tool, not a shortcut. You still have to do the heavy lifting to succeed in law school.

1. Conceptual Learning & Reinforcement

Everyone has a different learning style; I personally find that I need core concepts explained in multiple ways before I figure them out. I also use AI as an additional source to provide refreshers on foundational principles.

• For example, I first studied due process in Constitutional Law, but I often need a quick refresher when it resurfaces in another class like Family Law or Conflict of Laws.

• I turn to AI to help break down legal concepts. It helps me resolve my confusion and provides a fresh perspective on the multitude of complex issues we encounter daily at KU. Bottom line: law school can get really hard, and it's nice to have AI to show me concepts in smaller chunks. 

2. Research & Case Summarization

AI is an incredibly powerful brainstorming engine. It doesn't just find what you’re looking for; it helps you find what you didn’t know you were missing. At its best, AI is a stupid good search engine.

• AI can identify tangential cases or research angles that might not appear in a traditional keyword search, opening new avenues for your legal arguments.

• AI is excellent at distilling long opinions into key details and identifying the majority of issues. By getting a big picture summary first, it becomes much easier to dive into the full text of the case and identify exactly where the court’s analysis begins. I can’t begin to tell you how important this is for reading old court cases. Nineteenth-century legal minds didn’t focus on making reading fun or easy. 

3. Refinement: Syntax & Clarity

Grammar, syntax and precise word choice are critical for legal writing, but they aren't always easy to master. I use AI as a digital editor to:

• Experiment with different variations of a specific argument.

• Find more precise legal terminology. Sometimes, I know what I want to say but just not the word that means those things. AI can help with that.

• Clarify dense or "wordy" sentences to make my writing more persuasive. AI is kind of like a really good writing tutor in this regard. 

Caveat

AI is not a replacement for your own mind. If you don't have a fundamental understanding of the material, you won't know when the AI is hallucinating or just wrong. I would never recommend using AI on issues of first impression. You’re simply not going to learn a law class by only relying on AI.

• AI should be used to improve the quality of your work, not to replace the work itself.

• You must strictly conform to your professor’s AI policy. While some faculty have a high tolerance for these tools, others have a zero-tolerance policy. Always check the syllabus before you prompt.

Conclusion

AI is a powerful ally that can significantly elevate your work product if used responsibly. By staying aware of its limitations and maintaining your own critical eye, you can use these tools to become a more efficient, capable student and a future-ready lawyer.

— Brandon Rossman is a 2L KU Law Student Ambassador from Yorba Linda, California