Students’ Challenges in Employing AI Tools in Legal Writing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently provided English learners with various interactive alternatives in classes. However, limited research has been conducted into the use of AI in English for specific purposes (ESP), especially Legal English. This paper investigates challenges students face when incorporating AI tools into Legal English Writing, stemming from either the tools themselves or their compatibility with Legal English. Forty-two undergraduate students of Legal English at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law completed a structured questionnaire to gather quantitative data on their obstacles. The findings revealed that the primary challenges include overreliance on AI tools, educational ethics regarding plagiarism, and reduced creativity. These thoughtful insights shed light on pedagogical implications, helping guide students to use AI tools responsibly and effectively. The study also contributes to further research on AI in ESP, calling for deeper investigation to improve students’ legal writing and other general purposes.