How can law students benefit from using artificial intelligence?

Daniel Drane III

Executive Director, Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property and the Center for Law, Science and Innovation

Daniel Drane III leads ASU Law’s Center for Law, Science and Innovation and the Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property, driving the centers' growth and vision.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the legal field, from how lawyers practice to how societies regulate technology. At the same time, the law will determine how AI evolves, making it essential for future lawyers to understand and engage with this powerful technology. As a leader in innovation, ASU is empowering students studying law and beyond to be leaders within AI law.

Does ASU Law offer AI law programs?

ASU Law offers AI law courses for the JD program and students in the legal master’s program. The Center for Law, Science and Innovation (LSI) connects students to courses, faculty and professional experiences at the intersection of law, science and technology. With more than 50 courses supported by 50+ faculty fellows, students can pursue hands-on opportunities through workshops, conferences, externships and clinical work.

Students interested in AI law can choose the Law, Science and Technology (LST) Certificate for JD candidates, or an AI law emphasis within the Master of Legal Studies program. Coursework includes:

• AI: Law, Ethics and Policy
• AI in Legal Operations and Innovation
• AI: Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• A.I. Strategic Protection of Emerging Technologies with IP 
• eDiscovery and Digital Evidence
• Privacy, Big Data and Emerging Technologies
• AI: Standards, Soft Law and Industry Self-Regulation

These programs combine coursework, mentorship and experiential learning to prepare students for leadership in a fast-changing legal landscape.

What AI research and scholarship opportunities exist for law students?

Law students today are seeking ways to combine legal expertise with emerging technologies. At Arizona State University, the ASU AI Scholars program offers just that. Open to students from all fields – including law – it connects participants with organizations like OpenAI, AWS, Adobe and Meta. Scholars gain mentorship, enterprise-level AI tools, research grant opportunities and internship pathways with top companies. Law students can apply for the prestigious ASU AI Scholars program by showcasing a strong interest in AI leadership and innovation on the ASU AI Scholar Program website.

For ASU Law students, the program can be customized to provide direct experience with how AI intersects with law and policy, preparing them to address real-world challenges in legal practice and empowering them to contribute to the growing repository of AI Law research and scholarship already taking place at ASU Law.

What events highlight law and AI innovation?

ASU Law regularly hosts and cohosts events exploring the future of law and technology.

On October 16, ASU Law is co-hosting the TechTainment 2025 Conference with the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA) at the ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles. The event features expert panels, fireside chats and discussions on AI, data privacy, NIL, film finance and more.

On May 21 - 22, 2026, ASU Law will host the 13th annual Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science (GETS) Conference, which addresses the ethical, legal, regulatory and policy issues that surround the emergence of new technologies and scientific advances.

On October 7, the 2025 Soft Law Summit – presented by BBB National Programs’ Center for Industry Self-Regulation (CISR) and in collaboration with ASU Law – brings together industry leaders, academics and policy makers to examine how the challenges and opportunities for America's business sectors can be addressed by independent and effective industry self-regulation, a type of “soft law.”

How are law schools using AI in admissions and orientation?

ASU Law was the first U.S. law school to allow applicants to responsibly use generative AI when preparing application materials, provided they certify the accuracy of what they submit.

At the JD student orientation for the Class of 2028, professors Sue Chesler and Kimberly Holst introduced students to “Thinking Like a Lawyer with AI.” This session explored the do’s, don’ts and ethical considerations of AI, ensuring students think critically about the technology before even stepping foot in the classroom.

By integrating cutting-edge coursework, research opportunities, industry partnerships and forward-looking events, ASU Law equips students to navigate – and lead – the evolving intersection of law and artificial intelligence.