Debate on AI in Legal Education: A Call for Balance
In NRC, a sharp opinion piece by university lecturers Joris van Laarhoven (Tilburg University) and Eva van Vugt (Maastricht University) argued for a ban on generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in law faculties.
Their concern: AI not only threatens essential legal skills such as critical thinking and precise formulation, but could also undermine the rule of law, since control over these technologies largely rests with big tech companies.
The authors rightly point out that AI is not an impartial or infallible advisor: it is still often inaccurate and superficial. They raise an essential question: Who truly owns and governs these algorithms? This question is particularly critical in a field where legal certainty and transparency are paramount.
(Source: “Don’t hand over the rule of law to ChatGPT: ban AI from law faculties,” NRC, July 3, 2025.)
A Legal Expert’s Perspective
An absolute ban may not be the right solution. The potential pitfalls of AI can be mitigated with the help of the Certified AI Compliance Officer (CAICO®), a program that enables educational institutions and other organizations to critically and independently assess AI systems, while respecting fundamental legal principles and core human skills.
In addition, the lack of AI literacy that the authors warn about can be addressed through tailored AI literacy training designed to strengthen both legal and practical understanding of AI.
Responsible AI Integration in Education
With deep expertise in AI compliance and privacy law, I provide the tools and guidance to help integrate AI responsibly into education: safely, ethically, and in line with the rule of law.
