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Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Should Legal Education Integrate AI? Rethinking curriculum for the age of intelligent law
Generative AI is rapidly changing the legal industry. Major law firms and corporations are either developing their own AI tools or using existing ones to improve efficiency. For instance, JP Morgan Chase uses COiN (Contract Intelligence), a tool that uses natural language processing and machine learning to save over 360,000 hours of manual contract review each year. Similarly, tools like Cocounsel (for legal research), Harvey AI (for drafting and reviewing contracts), Spellbook (for contract creation), Lex Machina (for predicting case outcomes), and Vlex (for legal research) are shaping how legal work is done. Should Legal Education Integrate AI? Rethinking curriculum for the age of intelligent law Predictive AI in Law and the Kerala High Court's Call for Caution The rise of models like SCOTUSbot, Economist's AI tool to predict Supreme Court rulings, will further redefine the relationship between Generative AI and law. While the Economist cautions that AI won't replace human analysis, it notes that 'if justices faithfully follow legal principles, an AI aware of all the precedents ought to predict their votes fairly reliably.' The accuracy of SCOTUSbot's predictions will be crucial in assessing the robustness of such tools. At the same time, the Kerala High Court's recent policy on AI use in the District Judiciary reflects growing concerns about such technologies. While not banning AI entirely, the policy restricts tools that mimic human cognition, warning they may erode public trust and compromise key judicial values like fairness, transparency, and accountability. The Court has therefore advised extreme caution and barred the use of AI in legal reasoning or decision-making processes. Legal Education's Role in Ethical AI Integration and Critical Thinking This responsibility extends beyond courtrooms. Higher education institutions have an enormous role in ensuring that future lawyers ethically use AI while also becoming active participants in the AI revolution. As generative AI tools increasingly assist with legal research, drafting, and judgment summarisation, universities must help students understand how to use these technologies with responsibility and critical awareness. The World Economic Forum's 2024 report on Shaping the Future of Learning: The Role of AI in Education 4.0 highlights the transformative potential of AI in revolutionising teaching methods and enabling lifelong, student-driven learning. However, it also raises a crucial question. How do we integrate AI into education without compromising critical thinking and students' capacity for innovation? A major challenge is the growing tendency toward cognitive offloading. As noted by Evan Risko and Sam Gilbert from the University of Waterloo, students often rely on AI to find the least effortful path to problem solving, which can hinder their ability to think critically. This tendency, coupled with cognitive miserliness, risks diminishing essential skills that legal education must nurture. Integrating AI into legal education requires a careful balance of technological innovation, adaptive expertise, and ethical reflexivity. A recent University of Toronto study on imaginative problem solving found that AI-aided responses were less innovative than those generated by students working independently. When asked how to use a worn trouser, the AI generated an image of a scarecrow, while a student created a novelty bird feeder. The study highlights the importance of preserving imagination and original thinking in an AI-supported learning environment. Therefore, legal education must promote a culture where AI is not treated as a shortcut but as a tool that deepens understanding. Law schools must train students to use AI in ways that support argumentation, legal interpretation, and ethical reasoning. The goal is to create legal professionals who are not only technologically skilled but also committed to justice, fairness, and integrity. Rethinking Curriculum and Learning Taxonomies As we integrate AI into higher education, it becomes necessary to rethink how we design curricula and structure the learning process. Traditional teaching methods still rely heavily on didactic approaches, where the focus is on remembering and understanding. These are key stages in Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. While they remain important, AI tools can help shift the emphasis toward higher order thinking skills such as analysing, evaluating, and solving problems. This perspective was also reflected in discussions at the European Conference on Education, where educators examined how AI can support a shift toward critical thinking in the classroom. While there was broad agreement on the potential of AI to transform learning, some participants noted the continued importance of foundational stages like remembering and understanding, particularly in contexts where educational inequality persists, such as in parts of the global South. Emphasising Skill Competency and Social Inquiry in Law Another approach in which higher education can truly balance AI, and the natural learning process is by emphasising on skills competency and social inquiry. Likewise in law, generative AI tools can help synthesise and summarise judgments and create a rich knowledge base, but higher education holds the key to ensuring it's relevant, diligently reviewed, and empowers lawyers to argue without compromising their innovative skills or their commitment to justice. The Limitations of AI in Addressing Justice and Context For example, in one of the teaching sessions on 'ChatGPT (ing) and Grok(ing) in the classrooms: Is it time to permit the use of Large Language Chat Models in higher education?' two questions were examined through the LLM: 'Black people have more criminal records' and 'Should there be caste-based reservations in India?' The AI response recognized system issues, historical injustice and diversity; it was based on data and statistics. However, both responses lacked the perspectives needed to define what justice means in the current context and its future validity. The latter is indeed the sine qua non to legal education. Implementation of AI Responsibly in Legal Education No one wants to be left behind in the AI race. Thus, it forces us to think how much innovations will violate the ethical principles and add to the human cost of injustices. At the same time, we cannot discount the immense opportunities offered by AI in the legal profession. Ultimately, it is the question of balance. Conformists may view the use of AI as legal blasphemy but one must not forget that light bulbs, printing press, and computers were all met with ridicule only to be seen as one of the most inspirational inventions of humanity. Higher education therefore should embrace AI in their curriculum, albeit responsibly, without compromising their core skills. (This article is authored by Dr. Mukul Saxena, Professor and Director, Centre for Postgraduate and Legal Studies, and Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Alliance School of Law)
Arabian Post
06-07-2025
- Science
- Arabian Post
Brains on Autopilot: ChatGPT May Erode Critical Thinking
A newly disclosed MIT Media Lab experiment warns that overreliance on ChatGPT could diminish neural engagement and hamper critical thinking, memory retention and originality. The controlled study compared three groups—one using ChatGPT, one relying on search engines and a third writing unaided—tracking brain activity via electroencephalography during repeated essay-writing sessions. Participants using only their cognitive abilities showed the greatest neural activation, stronger memory recall, and more nuanced, creative expression. By contrast, ChatGPT users displayed the lowest brain engagement across neural, linguistic and behavioural measures. Experts described their outputs as 'soulless,' and follow‑up testing revealed that those who started by leaning on AI struggled to regain earlier performance levels when later writing independently. The U. K. survey of more than 600 users echoed these concerns: frequent AI use was significantly linked to reduced critical thinking—especially among younger individuals who offloaded mental effort rather than utilising AI as an aid. Researchers warn this pattern may foster 'cognitive off‑loading,' a dependence that could diminish mental agility. ADVERTISEMENT Yet the data also reveal nuance. In a separate high school‑based trial, students who engaged with AI tutors offering iterative guidance rather than complete solutions performed just as well as those without AI assistance. This suggests that when AI is used to supplement learning and not supplant it, cognitive gains remain achievable. MIT lead researcher Nataliya Kosmyna cautions: 'This study was not measuring intelligence loss, but rather the neural, linguistic and behavioural effects of reliance on generative systems.' She emphasises that the findings remain unreviewed and limited in scope, underscoring the need for long‑term, peer‑validated work before drawing sweeping conclusions. Cambridge University's Sam Gilbert frames the phenomenon differently: reduced brain activity might reflect a release of mental bandwidth, enabling users to channel attention into higher‑order tasks. But he reminds policymakers and educators that caution is essential when integrating AI in formative environments. Business and public discourse have responded swiftly. Coverage in the Washington Post highlighted the delicate balance between cognitive off‑loading and the potential to free mental capacity for creative endeavour. Coverage from The New York Post and The Times cited concerns of 'skill atrophy' and warned against passive AI dependence. Academic literature supports this emerging narrative. An arXiv study dated December 2024 flagged 'metacognitive laziness' among AI‑assisted learners—those who rely on ChatGPT improved essay scores but showed weak knowledge transfer. University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon faculties likewise document a tension between AI assistance and sustained critical reasoning in student assignments. Tech industry responses emphasise that AI's strength lies in augmentation, not substitution. Start‑ups such as BioSpark and other 'cognitive‑sparking' interfaces aim to rekindle curiosity and ownership—positioning AI as a creative counterpart rather than a convenience. Major AI developers, including OpenAI, maintain that generative AI can enhance productivity—citing workforce efficiency gains of up to 15 per cent. Yet they acknowledge that without user agency and deliberate design, those gains may come at the expense of independent thought. With institutional adoption surging—over one billion ChatGPT users worldwide—experts press for frameworks that prioritise mental resilience as much as performance. The debate reflects a longstanding tension in the adoption of technology. From Socrates' lament over writing to early anxieties about calculators and internet search, each leap in efficiency has triggered reflection on intellectual costs. AI, its proponents argue, is no different: transformation demands vigilance. As Michael Gerlich of the Swiss Business School notes, 'It's become a part of how I think.' But he stresses that training the mind to think with AI, rather than through it, will be critical.
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Unwanted utensil for Highlanders
It was a night of lasts. Last game. Last place. And last match for Sam Gilbert in the Highlanders colours. He is off to Irish club Connacht at the end of the NPC season. The Highlanders are off to assess where the season went wrong. The 41-24 defeat to the Chiefs in Dunedin last night has left them stranded in last place. The season could have been a lot different had they been able to reverse a few of those seven games they lost by seven or fewer points. Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i nabbed a hat-trick in a standout performance for the visitors, who set up the win with a stunning opening quarter. Highlanders loosehead Ethan de Groot coughed up an early turnover and the Chiefs probed away for four or five minutes until eventually, they found a way around the defence. It was brilliant too. Etene Nanai-Seturo gathered in a chip kick and linked up with centre Daniel Rona, who set off for the line, but passed back inside to Samipeni Finau to score. The competition front-runners were back lining up another conversion a few brief minutes later. Vaa'i barged over and then grabbed a double when he pounced on a mistake and ran in from 45. It was 19-0 in under quarter of an hour. Thoughts turned to the Chiefs' 85-7 romp against Moana Pasifika last weekend. Thoughts also turned to how quickly the end of the season could come for the Highlanders. Sixty-five minutes and counting. But the Highlanders rallied and were rewarded. The went close when Jonah Lowe made some yards down the right, and Veveni Lasaqa put in a grubber. Damian McKenzie scooped it up, but was caught by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the in-goal. The Highlanders kept the Chiefs pinned in their 22, and de Groot crashed over from a tap kick 5m out. There was no stopping the big Southlander. Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill picked up a yellow card moments later for an untidy cleanout on Jack Taylor. He made contact with the head. The Highlanders exploited the advantage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, Tanielu Tele'a and Taniela Filimone combined beautifully down the left. That created some space on the right and Tavatavanawai powered over to close the gap to five points at halftime. But just a comeback glimmered, the home side was caught napping early in the second spell. Hooker Bradley Slater rumbled free from a maul and passed to halfback Xavier Roe, who had a clear run to the line. The Chiefs threatened to score twice more, but the Highlanders added the next points through the boot of Cameron Millar. But replacement back Manasa Mataele stretched the lead again with a try out on the left. The Chiefs had wriggled their way into the red zone and floated the ball wide to the unmarked finisher. Gilbert scored a try to create some late drama. But Vaa'i collected the ball from a short drop-out gone wrong to nab a hat-trick right on fulltime. And the Chiefs left with what they came for — five points and with pole position intact ahead of the playoffs. The win came at a cost, though. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea was injured midway through the first half and transported from the field. Super Rugby Pacific The scores Chiefs 41 (Tupou Vaa'i 3, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen, Gilbert con) Halftime: 19-14.
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Night of lasts for the Landers
It was a night of lasts. Last game. Last place. And last match for Sam Gilbert in the Highlanders colours. He is off to Irish club Connacht at the end of the NPC season. The Highlanders are off to assess where the season went wrong. The 41-24 defeat to the Chiefs in Dunedin tonight has left them stranded in last place. The season could have been a lot different had they been able to reverse a few of those seven games they lost by seven or fewer points. Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i nabbed a hat trick in stand-out performance for the visitors, who were blasted out to an 19-0 early lead. Highlanders loosehead Ethan de Groot coughed up an early turnover and the Chiefs probed away four of five minutes until eventually, they found a way around the defence. It was brilliant too. Etene Nanai-Seturo gathered in a chip kick and linked up with centre Daniel Rona, who set off for the line but passed back inside to Samipeni Finau to score. The competition front-runners were back lining up another conversion a few brief minutes later. Vaa'i barged over and then grabbed a double when he pounced on a mistake and ran in from 45. It was 19-0 in under quarter of an hour. Thoughts turned to the Chiefs' 85-7 romp against Moana Pasifika last weekend. Thoughts turned to how quickly the end of the season could come for the Highlanders. Sixty-five minutes and counting. But the Highlanders rallied and were rewarded. They went close when Jonah Lowe made some yards down the right and Veveni Lasaqa put in a grubber. Damian McKenzie scooped it up but got caught by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the in-goal. The Highlanders kept the Chiefs pinned in their 22 and de Groot crashed over from a tap kick 5m out. There was no stopping the big Southlander. Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill picked up a yellow card moments for an untidy cleanout on Jack Taylor. He made contact with the head. The Highlanders exploited the advantage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, Tanielu Tele'a and Taniela Filimone combined beautifully down the left. That created some space on the right and Tavatavanawai powered over to close the gap to five points at halftime. The home side was caught napping early in the second spell. Hooker Bradley Slater rumbled free from a maul and passed to halfback Xavier Roe who had a clear run to the line. The Chiefs threatened to score twice more, but the Highlanders added the next points through the boot of Cameron Millar. But replacement back Manasa Mataele stretched the lead again with a try out on the left. The Chiefs had wriggled their way into the red zone and floated the ball wide to the unmarked finisher. Gilbert scored a try to create some late drama. But Vaa'i collected the ball from a short drop gone wrong to nab a hat trick right on fulltime. And the Chiefs left with what they game for - four points and with pole position intact ahead of the playoffs. The win came at a cost. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea was injured midway through the first half and transported from the field. Super Rugby Pacific The scores Chiefs 41 (Tupou Vaa'i 3, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen, Gilbert con) Halftime: 19-14.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Gilbert to join Connacht at end of NPC season
Sam Gilbert. Photo: supplied Experienced Highlanders and Otago utility back Sam Gilbert is heading to Ireland. Gilbert will join Connacht at the end of this NPC season, the Irish club announced last night. The Highlanders wished their departing player well on social media and will seek to send him - and doubtless a bunch of others to be confirmed - out on a high with some decent performances over the final three weeks of a disappointing season. Gilbert has been something of an everyman for the Highlanders in recent seasons, playing a handful of games in his preferred fullback position but also starting on the wing and at both second five and first five. He had a particularly good run in 2023 and the first half of the 2024 season when he showed his value as a strong and reliable operator across the park, and also showed off some remarkably accurate goal-kicking. He was picked for the All Blacks XV in 2023. Not a player for flashy line breaks or sizzling 80m runs, he is defensively sound and a good link man, and has a strapping frame with a powerful boot - attributes that will serve him well in rugby in the north. Gilbert was schooled at St Andrew's College and had just been recognised in the Canterbury system - he scored five tries in six games for the red and blacks in 2019 - when he came south to join the Highlanders, Otago and the Green Island club. He has played 56 games for the Highlanders, scoring 322 points (13 tries, 79 conversions and 33 penalties), and 29 for Otago. Connacht have a couple of Otago links already on the books. Gilbert's fellow Green Island man, Sean Jansen, started at No 8 in their most recent game in the United Rugby Championship, and former Highlanders and Otago first five Josh Ioane is also at the club. Irish and Lions midfield star Bundee Aki is the main man at Connacht. The Highlanders have exciting youngsters Caleb Tangitau and Finn Hurley under contract next year, and they will be eager to have Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Jona Nareki back, but Gilbert's versatility will be missed.
