LAW 2604 - Artificial Intelligence and the Law

            The course will engage students in a critical examination of legal issues arising from both private and governmental uses of AI. Topics will include algorithmic decision-making in employment and housing, predictive policing, the legal status of AI-generated works, and questions of liability associated with autonomous systems. Students will also grapple with broader ethical and regulatory challenges, including bias, transparency, accountability, and the implications of delegating decision-making authority to machines. Additionally, the seminar will consider the evolving role of lawyers in advising clients who develop, deploy, or are impacted by AI technologies.

            Through weekly seminar discussions, short written reflections, and a substantial final paper on a contemporary issue at the intersection of AI and law, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and risks posed by AI. The course is designed to help students think critically and creatively about how law and policy can—and should—respond to emerging technologies.

            Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.      Identify and analyze legal risks associated with AI systems and applications;

2.      Apply relevant statutory, constitutional, and regulatory frameworks to novel technological contexts;

3.      Anticipate and evaluate the ethical and policy implications of AI deployment in both public and private sectors;

4.      Provide informed and strategic legal counsel in technology-driven environments; and

5.      Assess the capacities and limitations of legal tools in governing fast-evolving technologies.

            In addition to substantive exposure to a rapidly expanding area of legal practice, the course is structured to support the development of essential legal skills, including issue spotting, statutory interpretation, legal analysis and writing, and strategic advisory thinking.

            This seminar will be especially valuable for students interested in careers in technology law, data privacy, intellectual property, public policy, criminal justice reform, and regulatory compliance. Beyond the immediate subject matter, the course offers:

·        Satisfaction of the Two-Credit Writing Requirement

·        Exposure to high-growth legal sectors, including AI governance, digital privacy, and emerging liability regimes

·        Engagement with cutting-edge legal issues currently under consideration by courts, legislatures, and administrative agencies

·        Critical insight into how technological change is reshaping the legal profession itself

            This course aims to prepare law students to navigate the legal landscape of the digital age and to serve as thoughtful, forward-looking advisors in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Prerequisites & Notes
None.

Credits: 2

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Fall 2025

January 2026

Spring 2026