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The GW Law AI Forum, founded by a group of rising second-year law students, has hosted panels and open discussions for students interested in how artificial intelligence will impact their career trajectories in the legal field.
The GW Law AI Forum, established by rising second-year law students, has successfully completed its inaugural academic year. Its primary goal is to foster dialogue and address the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the legal field, especially concerning the career paths of current law students.
Eren Karaburun, the forum's executive director, initiated the organization driven by his keen interest in technology's rapid evolution and its widespread societal and business consequences. He designed the forum to be an inclusive platform, welcoming diverse viewpoints from both AI skeptics and supporters to encourage genuine learning and prevent 'echo chambering'.
The GW Law AI Forum, officially approved by the Student Bar Association, has expanded its reach beyond the law school to include undergraduate students from other departments, like the School of Engineering. It offers accessible, 'low-barrier-to-entry' lunchtime events several times a month, requiring no strict commitment to accommodate law students' busy schedules.
Throughout its first year, the forum hosted a variety of events, including a panel discussion with lawyers and professors on AI's impact on legal practice and a live demonstration of Bloomberg Law's AI tool for financial document analysis. It also facilitated open discussions on AI's influence on career trajectories and explored topics like Albania's integration of AI into its government.
Noah Pellen, the forum's director of communications, expressed his motivation to combat the 'stigma' and 'fear mongering' surrounding AI, particularly regarding concerns like case hallucination and environmental impacts. Despite initially lacking dedicated funding, the group's founders covered costs to ensure the continuation of valuable, free-flowing conversations among peers.
Carson Mills, the director of operations, foresees a significant transformation in the legal profession, with AI becoming an integral part of lawyers' workflows, much like Westlaw's evolution to AI-assisted 'deep research.' He highlighted the forum's success in attracting a large audience to its open, conversation-based events, emphasizing its unique appeal to all students interested in AI, regardless of their stance.