Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Law on Mid-South Conference Agenda
“AI is, today, already a part of the legal profession and appears to be here to stay.” — Ellen Murphy
By Tru Joi Curtis
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 22, 2024
Fast facts:
- National Ag Law Center’s Mid-South conference set for June 6-7
- Ellen Murphy will present a session focusing on the ethical use of AI
- Conference registration is online
(346 words)
Download related photo of Murphy
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Artificial intelligence has made the leap from science fiction
to everyday use, but what are the ethical ramifications of AI in legal applications?
Merriam Webster defines artificial intelligence as “the capability of computer systems or algorithms
to imitate intelligent human behavior.” These abilities have the potential to benefit
the legal industry.
“AI is, today, already a part of the legal profession and appears to be here to stay,”
said Ellen Murphy, professor of practice at Wake Forest University School of Law. “To be successful, attorneys will need to be equipped to navigate the new and exciting
waters of this technology and the ethical issues that come with it.”
Murphy will be taking on this topic at the 11th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and
Environmental Law Conference, to be held June 6-7 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
During her session, “Artificial Intelligence in Law Practice: Navigating the Ethical
Landscape,” Murphy will discuss the various ways artificial intelligence can be used
in an ethical manner to improve the agricultural law industry and those it affects.
The Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will be held in Memphis,
Tennessee at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law. The conference will also be livestreamed to provide an option for virtual participation.
Registration, agenda and more information is available online.
The use of artificial intelligence is here to stay. According to Market Splash, 75 percent of legal professionals believe that the technology will have a substantial
and positive impact on the industry.
“Artificial intelligence may seem a bit more like a George Jetson cartoon than modern-day
law practice, but this technology is rapidly growing in the legal profession, regardless
of whether we’re talking about a solo practitioner in a rural area or an attorney
in large firm,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “The ethical implications of
this technology are as significant as its promise and pitfalls. Ellen is a nationally
recognized expert in this area, and we are extraordinarily grateful that she will
join us in Memphis for this year’s conference.”
For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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About the National Agricultural Law Center
The National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural
and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, state and federal
policymakers, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, and many
others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information
to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and
works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural
Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen
agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption
of best practices. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work
within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural
Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal
access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to
participate or need materials in another format, please contact dviguet@uark.edu as
soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu