Course Review: Artificial Intelligence and the Law by Lund University (Coursera)
Learn to use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve legal research, writing, and more. Build prompts, boost productivity, and stay ahead in law.
Instructor: Dr. Jules White (with contributions from Mark Williams)
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly specialization from Vanderbilt University teaches legal professionals how to use Generative AI, like ChatGPT, in their work. Across three short courses, you’ll learn prompt engineering, legal research support, and how to build custom AI tools. The course covers real legal use cases—like contract review, drafting, and due diligence—while also touching on ethics and data privacy. Hands-on projects help you build useful skills fast. You’ll learn to write clear prompts, save time on legal tasks, and boost productivity. No tech background is required—just curiosity and an interest in how AI is changing law. Ideal for lawyers, students, or anyone in legal support roles.
- Duration: 1 month (at 10 hours per week)
- Chapters:
- Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT (18 hours)
- Generative AI for Legal Services Primer (5 hours)
- OpenAI GPTs: Creating Your Own Custom AI Assistants (7 hours)
- Tutor: Dr. Jules White (with Mark Williams)
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✅ Easy to follow, even for beginners with no tech background.
- ✅ Real-world legal examples help connect AI tools to daily tasks.
- ✅ Short time commitment with flexible learning at your own pace.
👎Cons
- ❌ Not ideal for advanced users seeking deep technical AI skills.
- ❌ Requires strong self-motivation to complete independently.
- ❌ No official university credit, which may limit formal recognition.
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is a great fit for legal professionals and curious learners who want to use AI to improve their work. It’s designed to be simple and hands-on, so you don’t need to be a tech expert. If you’re ready to learn how tools like ChatGPT can save time and boost your skills, this course is for you.
- Lawyers and legal practitioners: Learn how to use AI for legal research, document drafting, and due diligence. Gain an edge in a fast-changing field without needing to code.
- Paralegals and legal assistants: Save hours on research and writing by using smart prompts. This course helps you work faster and more accurately.
- Law students and recent graduates: Understand how AI is changing the legal world. Get ahead early by learning tools that firms are starting to use.
- Legal tech enthusiasts: If you’re interested in the future of law and AI, this course offers clear, practical insights into how the two connect.
- Solo practitioners and small firm owners: Use AI to reduce overhead and improve client service. Learn to create tools that support your daily practice.
- Professionals in compliance or risk roles: Explore how AI can help with contract checks, policy reviews, and legal workflows. Improve speed and consistency.
- Entrepreneurs building legal tech solutions: Understand prompt engineering and custom GPTs. Build AI tools that meet real legal needs.
- Anyone exploring AI in business or law: If you’re curious about how AI can help with legal work—even if you’re outside the legal field—this course gives a strong, simple starting point.
📘 What You’ll Learn
This course teaches you how to use Generative AI tools like ChatGPT to improve legal work. You’ll learn how to write better prompts, analyze legal texts, and even build your own AI tools. Each module offers simple steps and real tasks you can apply in your day-to-day job. You’ll also explore key topics like ethics, privacy, and how to stay current as AI evolves. By the end, you’ll be ready to use AI with confidence and skill in a legal setting or related field.
- How to craft effective prompts for legal tasks using ChatGPT and other tools
- Ways to improve legal research, document review, and drafting with AI
- Understanding the basics of Generative AI and large language models
- Ethical issues and privacy concerns in legal AI use
- How to create custom GPT assistants for legal and business tasks
- Using prompt patterns to get better, more accurate AI responses
- Techniques to test and improve AI assistant performance
- How to adapt to fast changes in law and technology
- Hands-on skills through exercises that mirror real-world legal work
❓FAQs
Ready to Start Learning?
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