Mississippi College School of Law has distinguished itself as one of the first institutions nationwide, and the inaugural one in the Southeast, to implement mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) education for all its law students. Dean John Anderson spearheads this initiative with the primary goal of equipping students to leverage AI technology effectively, efficiently, and ethically, thereby mitigating the risks associated with shortcuts and misuses seen in current legal practice.

The newly mandated general AI course is a two-day intensive program required for all first-year students, culminating in a hands-on project. Artificial intelligence, broadly defined, encompasses any technology or machine simulating human intelligence for tasks such as problem-solving, decision-making, and reasoning. While AI research dates back to the 1940s, its transformative impact, particularly through chatbots capable of generating conversations, text, images, and software code, has become prominent only in recent years.

The extensive computational demands of developing and training AI models necessitate massive computing power, typically housed in large data centers. In Mississippi, companies are projected to invest over $60 billion in building such facilities. Concurrently, legislative efforts are underway to establish broader regulatory frameworks for AI usage. Senator Bradford Blackmon, a Democrat from Canton, introduced several bills this session aimed at defining boundaries for AI, and despite none becoming law, he intends to reintroduce at least one next year, highlighting ongoing concerns about the technology's societal impact.

The increasing adoption of AI in the legal system has not been without incident. There have been documented cases where AI models generated fabricated defendants, quotes, and legal precedents. Notably, a federal judge in Mississippi acknowledged his staff used AI to draft a court order riddled with errors, and another lawyer faced a $20,000 fine for improper AI use in court filings. These incidents underscore the critical need for ethical AI training, which MC Law aims to provide.

The mandatory AI course at MC Law was designed and taught by Oliver Roberts, editor-in-chief of AI at The National Law Review, and his company, Wickard AI. Roberts noted the students' high level of engagement and enthusiasm for the technology's potential. He emphasized that understanding AI is crucial for forming informed arguments, whether for or against its use. The curriculum covers widely used tools, such as the Westlaw AI research program, alongside the regulatory landscape and ethical considerations of AI. Senator Blackmon was also invited to speak to students about the evolving AI environment in Mississippi.

Beyond theoretical discussions, the course incorporated practical application through a final project where students utilized AI to create prototypes of legal applications. This innovative approach encouraged students to identify shortcomings and inefficiencies in law and actively develop AI-driven solutions. Their creations included tools for jury selection strategy, bias detection, drafting legal memos, and automating billable time tracking, demonstrating real-world problem-solving skills.

Dean Anderson's conviction for mandatory AI education solidified during a 5th Circuit judicial conference in 2023, where a demonstration revealed AI's capability to process millions of documents and produce a substantial first draft within seconds – a task that would otherwise require a large team of lawyers. He recognized the immense efficiency gains, even if the AI-generated drafts require further human refinement.

The first-year law course is an integral component of Mississippi College’s broader commitment to leadership in ethical and cutting-edge AI education, usage, and policy. Last year, the college launched the Center for AI Policy and Technology Leadership, a collaborative effort between its business and law schools. This center is dedicated to producing academic papers, white papers, and providing training for both students and working professionals, solidifying MC's position at the forefront of AI innovation in legal and business domains.