70% of Law Students Say Schools Aren't Teaching AI Skills
Just 30% of third-year law students believe their school is preparing them to use artificial intelligence in practice, according to a Thomson Reuters Institute survey of 1,874 U.S. law students conducted in April 2026.
The gap leaves 70% of soon-to-be bar candidates to develop AI competency on their own time.
Schools Lack Consistent AI Guidance
Nearly half of students-48%-said AI policies vary by professor, with no institutional signals about what use is responsible or permissible. Another 15% reported their law school has no curriculum integration for AI at all.
About one-third of students disagreed or strongly disagreed that their school equips them with the AI skills their future careers will require.
Students See AI as Essential but Risky
Three-quarters of law students agreed that learning AI is essential for their profession. Yet 74% also agreed that overreliance on AI will cause them to struggle with critical legal skills.
The survey captures a professional tension: students recognize AI's importance while fearing it could undermine the foundational reasoning lawyers need. The Thomson Reuters researchers noted this dual awareness represents "the kind of professional judgment the legal profession and law schools should foster."
What This Means for Your Practice
If you're in law school or managing junior lawyers, the data suggests formal training in AI tools won't come from your institution. Many legal professionals are turning to external resources to close this gap. AI for Legal covers applications like document review, legal research automation, and contract analysis-skills the survey indicates law schools aren't teaching systematically.
For paralegals and support staff, similar pressures apply. AI Learning Path for Paralegals addresses the specific tools and workflows used in legal departments.
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