This session will feature two presentations centered around Trends in Teaching AI in the University Setting: 

• AI-Integration in First Semester Legal Research & Writing
• Enhancing Course Prep and Classroom Practice with AI

AI-Integration in First Semester Legal Research & Writing

This session presents a practical, classroom-tested approach to integrating generative AI into first-year Lawyering Skills instruction. Drawing on implementation at an academic law library and legal research program, the presentation demonstrates how AI can be embedded within core competencies (case analysis, legal reasoning, and research) rather than treated as a standalone topic. Through structured assignments, students critically evaluate AI-generated legal work, identify hallucinated authorities, compare human and AI drafting, and develop verification habits essential to professional practice. The session emphasizes real-world challenges, including overreliance, accuracy, and ethical obligations, while offering concrete exercises and workflows that legal information professionals can adapt in their own instructional settings. This talk highlights lessons learned, student outcomes, and strategies for fostering AI literacy grounded in judgment, accountability, and rigorous legal research.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Academic Law Librarians, Court Librarians, Firm/Private Law Librarians, Government Law Librarians, Legal Research & Writing Instructors (Non-librarians), Knowledge Management & Innovation Professionals, and Newer Legal Information Professionals/Early Career Librarians.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Evaluate AI-generated legal content critically by identifying hallucinated citations, misapplied authority, and gaps in reasoning, using structured verification techniques applicable to real research workflows.
2. Integrate AI tools into legal research and writing instruction in ways that reinforce—rather than replace—core competencies such as case analysis, rule synthesis, and predictive reasoning.
3. Apply ethical and professional standards to AI use by developing practices that promote transparency, accuracy, and accountability in line with legal research norms and professional responsibility rules.

SPEAKERS:

• Frank Young, Reference Librarian & Instructor, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Professionalism + Leadership At Every Level, Research + Analysis, Teaching + Training, 

Enhancing Course Prep and Classroom Practice with AI

This session explores emerging, classroom-tested approaches to integrating generative AI into law school teaching. The presentation will demonstrate practical methods and tools for using AI to support course preparation, including curriculum design, lesson planning, and the development of simulations and exercises that give students more frequent and higher-quality opportunities to develop their skills.
The session will also examine ways to incorporate AI into instruction and student learning, including strategies for encouraging students to use AI appropriately in preparing for class, completing exercises, and developing professional skills. Drawing on firsthand teaching experience, the presentation will identify what has worked, what has not, which approaches students have found most valuable, and how instructors can address concerns and build support among skeptical students and faculty.
The session will also discuss ways to integrate AI into a course without requiring students to purchase individual subscriptions or when an institution does not provide access to paid tiers. Attendees will leave with adaptable teaching practices, implementation strategies, and realistic approaches for incorporating AI into law school courses.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Law librarians, legal research instructors, faculty, knowledge professionals, and others who design or deliver AI-related teaching and training for students, attorneys, staff, or patrons. No technical background is required.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Use generative AI to support course preparation by developing curricula, classroom exercises, simulations, instructional materials, and opportunities for more frequent and meaningful student practice.
2. Integrate AI into student preparation and classroom learning in ways that encourage responsible use, strengthen substantive skills, and preserve the role of instructor and student judgment.
3. Apply lessons from classroom implementation—including successful approaches, common challenges, student reactions, and strategies for engaging skeptics—to design effective AI-enhanced instruction.
4. Develop equitable approaches to AI integration that do not depend on students purchasing individual subscriptions or institutions providing universal access to a specific platform.

SPEAKERS:

• Nick Hafen, Head of Legal Technology Education, BYU Law School

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Professionalism + Leadership At Every Level, Teaching + Training, 

All AALL webinars include live captioning services.

The opinions shared during this program represent the views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Recording, capturing, or using AI tools to duplicate, transcribe, or otherwise reproduce an AALL program in any form is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from AALL. This includes, but is not limited to audio, video, or any other content shared. By attending an AALL program or accessing an AALL recording, you agree to adhere to this policy.