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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.
Rising second-year law students at GW founded the AI Forum to foster dialogue about artificial intelligence's impact on the legal field. The initiative aims to demystify AI, reduce associated stigma, and provide a low-barrier-to-entry platform for students to discuss technological advancements without committing to a full course. This approach acknowledges that future legal professionals must understand and adapt to AI's growing presence.
Eren Karaburun, the forum's executive director and an incoming 2L, initiated the organization due to his long-standing interest in technology and the imperative for law students to engage with rapidly evolving AI. He emphasizes the need for transparency and diverse perspectives, aiming to prevent 'echo chambers' by welcoming both AI skeptics and proponents. Karaburun believes that learning from differing viewpoints leads to more valuable conversations and a deeper understanding of AI's multifaceted implications.
Officially approved in November, the GW Law AI Forum has expanded its reach beyond the law school, attracting undergraduate engineering students and seeking to involve marketing students for broader outreach. The forum maintains a 'low-barrier-to-entry' model with casual lunchtime events, understanding that law students often have limited time. Their events have included expert panels on AI reshaping legal practice, live demonstrations of legal AI tools like Bloomberg Law’s document analysis, and discussions on AI’s career impact and international integration, such as Albania's government use of AI.
Noah Pellen, the forum's director of communications, joined to combat the 'stigma' and 'fear mongering' surrounding AI, addressing concerns like 'case hallucination' and environmental impacts through open discussions. Carson Mills, director of operations, predicts that future generations of lawyers will need to integrate AI creatively into their workflows, citing examples like Westlaw’s transition to AI-assisted 'deep research.' Despite forming without initial Student Bar Association funding, the forum successfully attracted over 80 members to public events, highlighting its unique appeal as an open, conversation-based platform welcoming both enthusiastic AI users and 'haters' to foster comprehensive dialogue.