B7064 - Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Moduli: Salvatore Sapienza (Modulo 1) Michele Corazza (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Legal Studies (cod. 6682)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide general knowledge about the more recent techniques of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the goal of experimenting with their applications to the Legal Doman (e.g., judiciary system, parliaments, legislation institutions, legaltech, law firm) and commenting the results using Legal Disciplines. International professors have been invited to present their experiences (e.g., Kevin Ashley, University of Pittsburgh).

In this context, we also introduce the philosophical and ethic aspects of AI, and the AI Act regulations for assessing whether AI systems are compliant or not with the current European legislation. We face in particular the risks and opportunities of Generative AI, which could provide useful support to the legal stakeholders.

The students will experiment in the lab the usage of specific tools and techniques, by applying them to legal case studies.

It is strongly suggested to attend "Data Science for Lawyers".

Course contents

The course is structured as follow:

  • Introduction to the main technical types of AI systems
  • Introduction to the AI Act and the ethics implications
  • Introduction to Large Language Models and Agentic AI for the legal domain
  • Study of cases and experiments in the Legal Domain using tools such as NotebookLM and LMStudio 
  • Critical analysis of the results

Readings/Bibliography

https://ai-guide.future.mozilla.org/content/llms-101/

Teaching methods

The teaching is mainly given in classrooms, with some interactive tutorials and activities that will be held using personal computers.


Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the acquisition of the knowledge and competencies to analyse AI techniques, to suggest solutions and to validate the results in the light of legal disciplines and ethical principles.

The final exam is based on a case study of the usage of a Large Language Model (LLM) for the legal domain, which will be detailed by the students in a written document (4000 words).

The students should demonstrate understanding of the AI techniques, the ability to formulate a case-study and to propose a solution, and to test the solution and to evaluate using critical thinking approach.

Teaching tools

Slides, readings virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Sapienza

See the website of Michele Corazza