The hot topic of the last few months has been the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in courts and the legal field. I considered asking Chat GPT to write this article, but rest assured that any intelligence you detect in this article is completely mine and authentically human.
Our NASJE colleagues from Ohio conducted a great webinar for members about the opportunities and risks of using AI in judicial education. I also attended several in-person AI sessions at the midyear meeting of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) in San Diego and at the 60th Anniversary celebration for the National Judicial College in Las Vegas. Our Arizona courts also partnered with the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University on a day-long Arizona Summit on Artificial Intelligence, Law and the Courts.
While certainly not immune to the hype cycle, I do think AI will both challenge and enhance the field of judicial education. I anticipate our greatest challenge will be the pace of adoption requiring us to adapt quickly – not dissimilar to the challenge our field faced adopting remote delivery at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shifting from the artificial to more human NASJE endeavors, I thank Bryan Walker from NJC in Nevada and Dan Rettig formerly of the Florida Courts for their service to NASJE while members of our board of directors. Both gentlemen have made profound contributions to our association that will leave a lasting legacy to our field. Thank you!
Our nominating committee, led by immediate Past President Joy Lyngar, prepared a fine list of qualified nominees for the open board positions from which I appointed Nick Schulz (ID) to Western Region Director and David Gordon (NV) to Treasurer-elect as called for by the NASJE constitution and bylaws. Nick and David will join the board at our midyear in-person meeting taking place in Savannah, GA March 21 & 22. I’ll share exciting details from that meeting in my Spring column due out in April 2024.
Let the New Year bring us success in the important work we all do!
-Jeff Schrade (AZ)