SLU LAW Hosts Series on Artificial Intelligence and Legal Practice
Saint Louis University School of Law recently hosted a two-part series exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence —particularly generative AI — in both technology and legal practice.
The series launched with “Decoding AI: LLMs and the Future of Tech,” a presentation by Abby Stylianou, associate professor in the SLU Department of Computer Science and a fellow of the Taylor Geospatial Institute. Stylianou offered attendees a foundational understanding of large language models (LLMs), how they are trained, and the broader implications of AI technologies across industries. She also addressed common misconceptions about how AI “thinks” and provided guidance on how professionals, including those in the legal field, can approach these tools with a critical and informed perspective.
The second event in the series, presented by SLU LAW Dean Twinette Johnson, focused on the utilization of generative AI in legal practice. The panel featured attorneys from both public and private sectors, including representatives from large firms and solo practices. The discussion centered on how generative AI is currently being leveraged in the legal field for practical purposes such as scheduling, setting reminders, and streamlining legal training.
Panelists emphasized the potential of generative AI to make legal work more efficient, particularly by speeding up time-consuming tasks like legal research or summarizing lengthy documents such as medical records. However, they also raised important ethical and professional considerations. Concerns included the risk of law students using AI to complete assignments without proper understanding, and young attorneys inadvertently compromising client confidentiality by inputting sensitive information into AI platforms.
To address these challenges, one panelist suggested that law schools begin incorporating training that demonstrates how students can responsibly use AI for research and automation—while also instilling best practices for safeguarding sensitive data.
Together, the two events offered a comprehensive introduction to both the technical foundations and practical applications of AI, positioning SLU LAW at the forefront of critical conversations about the future of law and technology.