National Course Offerings

This introductory course provides judges with essential knowledge to navigate the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the legal system. Faculty will begin with foundational concepts, including machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI. Special attention will be given to generative models such as ChatGPT and tools developed for legal practice. Judges will explore how AI is already being used in law firms, court administration, and litigation support, including automated filings, document review, and pro se assistance platforms.

The course will address challenges such as algorithmic bias, limited transparency, and reliance on proprietary systems. Judges will consider the ethical boundaries of AI-assisted decision-making, strategies for evaluating the reliability of AI-generated outputs, and the importance of preserving judicial independence. Discussion will include how these technologies intersect with judicial canons and ethical considerations. The session concludes with practical guidance for identifying and responding to AI-related issues in the courtroom.

 

As AI-generated content becomes more common in litigation, judges must be prepared to assess its admissibility and reliability. This course offers practical guidance on evaluating digital content produced or analyzed by AI systems, including deepfakes, synthetic speech, facial recognition, and automated forensic reports. Judges will apply evidentiary standards to evaluate authentication, expert qualifications, and procedural safeguards designed to maintain evidentiary integrity, particularly when chain-of-custody questions are implicated by synthetic content.

 

Government agencies increasingly rely on algorithmic systems to make decisions that affect legal rights, benefits, and access to services. This course explores how courts review these automated decisions under established constitutional and administrative law principles. Judges will examine how due process, administrative law, and discovery principles apply when reviewing algorithmic systems with limited transparency. The session focuses on how judges safeguard procedural fairness and promote transparency when reviewing automated decision-making systems.

 

This course addresses the implications of using AI tools in judicial writing. Judges will consider the ethics of incorporating AI-generated text into judicial orders and opinions, as well as issues of authorship, disclosure, and automation bias. Faculty will offer strategies to preserve the integrity and voice of judicial reasoning while addressing the limitations of generative tools. The session concludes with a discussion of transparency, judicial discretion, and maintaining public trust.