“Over-reliance On AI Tools Can Diminish Critical Thinking”: Dr. Karuna Akshay Malviya, Director, School Of Law, DY Patil, Deemed To Be University

What motivated you to pursue academics in law? How has your journey been?

My motivation to pursue academics in law stems from a deep seated belief in the power of legal education to drive social change and uphold justice. From an early age, I was fascinated by the role of law in society and how it serves as a cornerstone for order and equity. This fascination turned into a passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. My journey in legal academics has been both rewarding and challenging. It has been a continuous learning process, adapting to new legal developments, integrating innovative teaching methodologies, and constantly striving to make legal education more relevant and impactful.

What innovations and reforms are required in legal education to make students future-ready?

To make students future-ready, several innovations and reforms are necessary. Legal education should integrate knowledge from other disciplines such as technology, economics, and social sciences to provide a holistic understanding of the law and its application. Emphasising practical training through internships, moot courts, and clinical legal education can help students gain hands-on experience and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice.

Incorporating technology in legal education, such as online learning platforms, legal research tools, and AI, can enhance learning experiences and prepare students for the tech-driven legal industry. Fostering a strong foundation in ethics and professional responsibility is crucial for developing lawyers who are not only skilled but also uphold the highest standards of integrity. Lastly, legal education should promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, encouraging students to stay updated with legal developments and engage in lifelong learning.

Is GenAI a threat to academic writing and integrity? What are your observations? What are the ethical concerns that it raises?

Generative AI (GenAI) presents both opportunities and challenges for academic writing and integrity. On one hand, it can be a valuable tool for research, data analysis, and generating insights. However, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The ease of generating content using AI can lead to issues of plagiarism and questions about the originality of academic work. Ensuring proper attribution and maintaining academic integrity are paramount. AI-generated content may lack the depth, nuance, and critical thinking that human-authored work provides, posing a risk of disseminating inaccurate or superficial information.

Moreover, AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in their training data, leading to biased outputs. It is crucial to ensure fairness and mitigate biases in AI-generated content. Over-reliance on AI tools can diminish critical thinking and research skills among students, so it is important to balance the use of AI with traditional research methodologies.

What is your one piece of advise for students stepping into the legal institutes this year and for lawyers who are entering the profession?

For students stepping into legal institutes, I would advise embracing the journey with curiosity and dedication. Legal education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about developing critical thinking, ethical values, and a passion for justice. Engage actively with your studies, seek practical experiences, and always uphold the principles of integrity and professionalism. For lawyers entering the profession, staying adaptable and committed to lifelong learning is essential. The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and continuous professional development is key to staying relevant and effective. Uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism, and always strive to make a positive impact through your work.  

In the ever-evolving legal landscape, it is quite a challenge to keep pace with the legal developments for students and educators alike. In these circumstances, what is your vision for training and nurturing the legal talent? And how can our law firms and practitioners contribute to this effort?

In the ever-evolving legal landscape, it is indeed a challenge to keep pace with legal developments for students and educators alike. My vision for training and nurturing legal talent involves creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment that emphasises both academic excellence and practical skills. This includes regularly updating the curriculum to reflect current legal trends and emerging areas of law, incorporating courses on technology, international law, and interdisciplinary studies.

Providing ample opportunities for practical training through internships, moot courts, and legal clinics, and encouraging students to engage in pro bono work and community service are essential. Fostering a culture of mentorship where experienced legal professionals guide and support students and encouraging collaboration between academia and the legal industry to bridge the gap between theory and practice are also key aspects. Promoting a strong research culture that encourages innovation and critical analysis and supporting students and faculty in undertaking meaningful research projects is another important element.  

Law firms and practitioners can contribute by offering internships, training programmes, and workshops to give students practical exposure and real-world experience. Partnering with educational institutions to offer guest lectures, joint research projects, and curriculum development initiatives can also help bridge the gap between academia and the legal industry. Establishing mentorship programmes where experienced lawyers can guide and support law students and young professionals, and encouraging and facilitating continuing legal education for their employees to ensure they stay updated with the latest legal developments and best practices, are ways in which law firms and practitioners can significantly contribute to this effort.