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P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · F A L L 2 0 2 5 53 T. KYLE TURNER is the Assistant Director of Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives at Vanderbilt Law School, where he is a member of the Vanderbilt Artificial Intelligence Law Lab (VAILL). His work focuses on legal technology, AI literacy, and preparing students and practitioners to engage with AI ethically and effectively. evaluating tools and understanding ethical obligations, we prepare them not just to use AI but to lead conversations about its role in practice. LAW STUDENTS AS FUTURE LEADERS That leadership will hopefully emerge sooner than we might expect. Our students are being exposed to AI literacy in ways that graduates just a few years ago never were. This positions them to step into meaningful roles in firm innovation and governance much earlier in their careers. I do not subscribe to the belief that AI will reduce the need for new associates. Who will become senior associates and partners if we cut off the pipeline? Instead, I view AI as an opportunity to reframe what early practice looks like. Rather than spending their first years bogged down in repetitive but necessary tasks, associates will be able to focus earlier on rewarding intellectual work. In some ways, this may help students become better lawyers more quickly. This shift could accelerate their growth by channeling their energy toward the uniquely human aspects of practice, such as strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and nuanced client advice. They will still learn the fundamentals, but without being defined by rote work that technology can now handle. That is a profound shift in how lawyers receive on-the-job training. I hope that partners understand and adapt to this change, engaging new associates in different ways than in the past. We have long operated under the principle of "doing more with less," but AI flips that script for new associates who can now learn more substantive skills by spending less time on repetitive tasks. Looking five to ten years ahead, I envision law schools empowering students to innovate in ways that were previously impossible. For the first time, non-technical students can imagine, design, and even create tools that serve their practice or their clients. I am already seeing students prototype simple legal workflows using no-code platforms or design AI-assisted client intake processes. AI is lowering the barriers to innovation in law, and that should excite us all. A SHARED MISSION If I could leave readers with one message, it would be this: preparing the next generation of AI-literate lawyers is not a solo mission. Law schools around the country are doing their part, but the journey requires collaboration with firms, technologists, and professional organizations to realize its potential fully. Our goal is not to graduate students who know how to use one tool, but rather to produce professionals who can lead in a world where technology will constantly change and prove essential for competent representation. Firms should strive to continually educate themselves through clear policies, practical training, and an environment that fosters openness to exploration and experimentation. At VAILL, we are committed to equipping students not just to survive in an AI-enabled profession, but to shape it. And for those already in practice, the lesson is clear: be open to learning from the newest members of your teams. Their AI literacy will support your firm in navigating the changes ahead. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VANDERBILT AI LAW LAB https://law.vanderbilt.edu/vanderbilt-ai-law-lab/

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