In
an
age
where
acquiring
certificates
has
become
as
commonplace
as
scrolling
through
social
media,
a
pertinent
question
arises
for
legal
professionals:
Is
an
AI
certification
essential
for
lawyers?
The
debate
surrounding
education
versus
practical
application
in
the
legal
profession
is
not
new.
However,
the
rapid
advancement
of
technology,
especially
in
AI,
cybersecurity,
and
privacy,
brings
a
renewed
focus
to
this
discussion.
The
Case
For
AI
Certification
The
proponents
of
AI
certification
argue
that
the
legal
profession
cannot
remain
insulated
from
technological
advancements.
With
AI
increasingly
becoming
a
part
of
daily
life,
its
implications
for
privacy,
security,
intellectual
property,
and
even
for
criminal
law
are
profound.
An
AI
certification
for
lawyers
could
serve
as
a
testament
to
their
understanding
of
these
complex
intersections
between
technology
and
law.
It
could
help
legal
professionals
advise
clients
more
effectively,
navigate
through
AI-related
legal
challenges,
and
even
leverage
AI
tools
for
litigation
and
contract
analysis.
Moreover,
specialized
certifications
can
set
a
lawyer
apart
in
a
competitive
market.
They
signal
to
potential
employers
or
clients
that
the
lawyer
possesses
up-to-date
knowledge
and
a
proactive
approach
to
learning
and
adapting.
In
sectors
like
tech
startups,
fintech,
and
cybersecurity,
where
AI
plays
a
critical
role,
having
legal
advisors
who
understand
the
technology
could
be
invaluable.
The
Critique:
Is
More
Learning
Less
Doing?
Critics,
however,
argue
that
the
obsession
with
certifications
might
lead
to
a
paradox
where
more
learning
equates
to
less
doing.
Drawing
from
the
insights
shared
in
the
discourse
on
the
drawbacks
of
excessive
certification,
there’s
a
growing
concern
that
the
pursuit
of
endless
qualifications
could
become
a
loop.
This
loop
ensnares
professionals
in
a
perpetual
state
of
preparation,
delaying
their
direct
engagement
with
the
real-world
challenges
and
opportunities
that
define
their
careers.
The
critique
is
not
against
learning
per
se
but
against
a
linear
and
traditional
approach
to
education
that
prioritizes
credentials
over
practical
experience
and
application.
The
argument
is
that
in
the
fast-evolving
field
of
AI,
hands-on
experience,
adaptability,
and
the
ability
to
apply
theoretical
knowledge
in
practical
scenarios
are
far
more
valuable
than
a
certificate.
After
all,
AI
itself
is
about
innovation,
experimentation,
and
learning
by
doing.
There’s
also
a
financial
and
temporal
aspect
to
consider.
Certifications
can
be
expensive
and
time-consuming,
potentially
diverting
resources
from
more
productive
investments
like
building
a
portfolio,
networking,
or
even
starting
a
tech-driven
legal
initiative.
Bridging
The
Gap:
Strategic
Learning
and
Application
Perhaps
the
resolution
doesn’t
lie
at
the
extremes
but
in
a
balanced
approach.
Lawyers
don’t
necessarily
need
an
AI
certification
to
excel
in
their
profession,
but
they
do
need
a
foundational
understanding
of
how
technology
affects
the
law.
Strategic
learning
—
where
education
is
closely
aligned
with
career
goals
and
is
immediately
applied
in
practice
—
could
be
the
way
forward.
This
approach
entails
being
selective
about
learning
opportunities,
focusing
on
those
that
offer
practical
skills
and
insights
directly
applicable
to
work.
It
also
means
applying
what’s
learned
in
real-world
settings
as
soon
as
possible,
whether
through
pro
bono
projects,
tech-based
legal
solutions,
or
innovative
service
offerings.
Such
an
approach
ensures
that
learning
leads
to
tangible
outcomes,
keeping
professionals
relevant
and
ahead
of
the
curve.
So,
The
Middle
Path,
Maybe?
In
the
debate
on
whether
lawyers
need
AI
certification,
the
answer
may
well
be
personal
and
contextual.
The
classic
“it
depends”
may
be
the
answer.
For
example,
it
may
depend
on
the
individual’s
career
path,
area
of
specialization,
and
how
they
intend
to
apply
their
knowledge
of
AI
in
their
legal
practice.
While
certifications
can
play
a
role
in
professional
development,
they
are
not
the
be-all
and
end-all.
As
the
legal
community
navigates
the
complexities
of
a
technology-driven
world,
the
focus
should
be
on
continuous,
strategic
learning
and
the
practical
application
of
knowledge.
In
doing
so,
legal
professionals
can
ensure
they
remain
effective,
relevant,
and
prepared
to
tackle
the
challenges
and
opportunities
that
AI
presents
in
the
legal
domain.
Olga
V.
Mack
is
a
Fellow
at
CodeX,
The
Stanford
Center
for
Legal
Informatics,
and
a
Generative
AI
Editor
at
law.MIT.
Olga
embraces
legal
innovation
and
had
dedicated
her
career
to
improving
and
shaping
the
future
of
law.
She
is
convinced
that
the
legal
profession
will
emerge
even
stronger,
more
resilient,
and
more
inclusive
than
before
by
embracing
technology.
Olga
is
also
an
award-winning
general
counsel,
operations
professional,
startup
advisor,
public
speaker,
adjunct
professor,
and
entrepreneur.
She
authored Get
on
Board:
Earning
Your
Ticket
to
a
Corporate
Board
Seat, Fundamentals
of
Smart
Contract
Security,
and Blockchain
Value:
Transforming
Business
Models,
Society,
and
Communities. She
is
working
on
three
books:
Visual
IQ
for
Lawyers
(ABA
2024), The
Rise
of
Product
Lawyers:
An
Analytical
Framework
to
Systematically
Advise
Your
Clients
Throughout
the
Product
Lifecycle
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024),
and
Legal
Operations
in
the
Age
of
AI
and
Data
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024).
You
can
follow
Olga
on
LinkedIn
and
Twitter
@olgavmack.
