Introduction to Workbook
Welcome to the workbook exercises!
The exercises below will help you put the ideas you have learned into practice. By completing them, you will begin to develop hands-on familiarity with using generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to explore legal concepts, test the tool’s capabilities, and experiment with prompt design.
The purpose of these exercises is not to test you on memorized facts, but rather to help you grow more confident and curious in your interactions with AI tools. You will learn to refine prompts, adjust tone and complexity, assess the accuracy of responses, and envision how AI might fit into real-world legal workflows.
Instructions for Completing the Exercises
Accessing a Generative AI Tool: Each exercise involves interacting with a tool like ChatGPT or a similar generative AI platform. Make sure you have reliable access to such a tool. If you cannot access one, you may complete the exercises hypothetically by describing how you would prompt the AI and what you would expect as a response.
Keeping Notes and Reflections: Throughout these exercises, you will be asked to evaluate the AI’s responses and note your observations. Use a notebook, word processor, or the space provided by your instructor to record your thoughts. Focus on how the AI’s outputs differ when you change the prompt, what information seems accurate or missing, and any insights you gain about the tool’s limitations.
Iterating Your Prompts: Prompt design is an essential skill. You will often be asked to start with a basic prompt and then refine it to get a more tailored response. Pay attention to how small changes in wording, instructions, or audience affect the AI’s answer. Over time, you will develop a sense of how to “speak” to the AI effectively.
Critical Evaluation of AI Outputs: As a future lawyer, you must learn to question and verify AI-generated content. Take note of what the AI gets right and where it might go wrong. Think about how you would cross-check the AI’s claims with reliable legal sources or how you might incorporate an AI-generated draft into a human-reviewed process.
Connecting Back to the Textbook: Each exercise relates to concepts introduced in this chapter. Before starting, skim the chapter’s main points, focusing on how AI has evolved, the meaning of generative AI, and the benefits and challenges of using it in legal practice. After completing the exercises, revisit the chapter to see how the theory and your practical experiments align.
No Single “Right” Answer: Unlike a traditional test, these exercises do not have one correct solution. Instead, the value lies in your engagement, creativity, and critical thinking. Try different approaches, be curious, and do not hesitate to experiment with prompts. If you get stuck or an answer seems off, see this as an opportunity to refine your approach rather than a failure.
By following these instructions and tackling the exercises step-by-step, you will sharpen your ability to leverage generative AI in a thoughtful and ethically responsible manner. Good luck, and enjoy your first steps into the world of AI-assisted legal practice!