Prof. Ahmar Afaq is currently working as an Assistant professor at Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur. He has also taught at Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University and Symbiosis Law School Hyderabad, the former happens to be his alma matter as well. During his tenure at Symbiosis Hyderabad, he was the founding head of Centre for Human Rights, SLS-H. He has worked in collaboration with Edinboro University, USA on a research project on the Rohingya Refugees and with Tribal Research Centre, Tamil Nadu pertaining to study the customary practices of the six tribal population in the Niligiri Hills.
To acknowledge his contribution towards the society he has been honoured with several awards by various organisations. Having a strong inclination towards research, he happens to be a proud author of five books and has more than a two-dozen publications on his name.
The Dearth of Emotionally Intelligent Legal Professionals: Exploring Use of AI in Legal Education
Abstract:
The Fourth Industrial Revolution comes with great potential in radical transformations in the teaching -learning processes and profession. It has furthered and proposes an alternative to better contribute in individual outputs and contribution to the legal system. In the backdrop of the experiences of previous revolutions, the Fourth Industrial Revolution also with its unequal percolation and interventions, further deepens the divide in the society and hence access to the benefits. The challenges in its access, institutional responses and even more disproportionate interphases of individuals in a hierarchical society, stratifies and marginalizes stakeholders.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has in some way in recent times, been emphasized upon in legal profession. There has also been an emphasis on using AI in the judicial system in tackling issues like backlog of cases. However, little has been focused on its incorporation in legal education. Today, most law schools focus on competent legal professionals to meet the global needs. The interdependent functioning of countries has necessitated law students to be equipped with merely an understanding of law. Simulation exercises like moot courts, client counselling, mediation exercises etc. all have been primarily inculcated to facilitate the process of students in being adept with the diverse and dynamic requirements of the profession. Often in such methods of dispute resolution, impasse is reached, rendering the process redundant. This often is not because the lawyers lack knowledge, but essentially lack emotional intelligence.
The present paper seeks to discuss the possible usages of AI in legal education in inculcating emotional intelligence in law students. It also seeks to explore the prospects and challenges in in its meaningful realization in Third world countries like India.