TEACHING LAW IN THE AGE OF AI: TIME FOR CURRICULUM REFORM?

A revolution has been introduced by the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI).Generative AI systems can now perform activities relating to problem-solving and decision-making.University students have started using AI tools to correct language, find information and stimulate creativity.The introduction of AI questions traditional approaches to teaching and learning.AI tools bring with it a plethora of ethical issues such as academic integrity.While many have discouraged the use of AI by university students, it is also true that AI tools have increasingly been used in the legal field for legal research and drawing up legal documents.Against the background of the abovementioned developments, it is incumbent on law faculties to think about the skills that they want to impart to students.Curriculum policy documents on legal education in South Africa outline essential skills for law graduates such as reading, writing and research skills.None of these documents speak to the ethical use of AI tools.The central question of this study is: what aspects of legal curricula in South Africa should be addressed to adequately prepare law graduates for the legal profession in the age of AI?The discussion is structured into three parts.The first part consists of a consideration of the relevant skills that are needed for law graduates in the age of AI.The second part evaluates the various quality standards documents on legal education in South Africa against the findings in the first part.The final section will propose recommendations for curriculum reform.This paper concludes that legal curricula must incorporate skills training aimed at the use of AI tools.The legal curricula should as a minimum include the use of AI tools as well as the ethical issues that presents itself with the use of AI.