- Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has urged universities to embrace AI in legal education and practice.
- He says emerging technologies can simplify legal work and improve efficiency when used responsibly.
- Zetech University says its law programme trains students to use AI ethically and effectively.
Higher learning institutions have been urged to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the training of lawyers as technology continues to reshape the economy and professional practice.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said that although AI has its shortcomings, embracing the technology in learning and professional practice would help simplify work and improve efficiency among legal practitioners.
The former CJ spoke at Zetech University during the unveiling of beneficiaries of the university’s TechSheria Scholarship Programme, which will provide full tuition to selected students pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Mutunga challenged universities to embrace emerging technologies and equip students with skills needed to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
“It is important to embrace emerging technologies and equip learners with the requisite skills that are crucial for survival in the highly competitive job market,” the former CJ said.
He recounted how he had personally used AI in his work, noting that the technology had proved helpful in developing written content.
“I have positively used AI where I wanted to write an article of 35 pages and it was 100 pages. It really helped me,” he said.
Zetech University School of Law Dean Dr Eric Kibet said AI has become central to the institution’s approach to legal education, adding that students are being trained to use it ethically and responsibly.
“Our law school programme is oriented towards technology and therefore AI is imperative. We are not fighting AI, we are embracing it,” Dr Kibet said.
He disclosed that the university has developed guidelines and a policy to ensure that students use AI to enhance their learning rather than undermine it.
“We are so careful to ensure that our students use the emerging technologies in a way that enhances their learning rather than suppressing their studies,” he noted.
Students trained on responsible AI use
The Dean said students are also being trained on the limitations of AI and how to use the technology without compromising their cognitive abilities or professional ethics.
“We train our students to use AI and use it ethically in ways that improve and enhance their studies. We also take them through areas of caution so that they are able to use it in ways that make them better professionals rather than reducing their cognitive abilities,” he noted.
The university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs, Prof Alice Njuguna, hailed the TechSheria Scholarship Programme as an important investment in expanding access to legal training.
She called on the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and maintain high academic and administrative standards.
Those who benefited from the scholarship include Romney Ochieng, Wambui Muthoni and Muuo Mutuku.
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The beneficiaries, who demonstrated leadership in different capacities, said the scholarship will enable them to fulfil their dreams of becoming lawyers and contribute to addressing injustices in their communities.
By John Kamau
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