At Florida State University College of Law, faculty are at the forefront of groundbreaking research exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and law, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by these emerging technologies.
By incorporating AI research into its curriculum, the university will help students meet these challenges head-on and succeed in the evolving world of legal practice.
“The research conducted by our faculty not only contributes to the broader debate about AI and law, but also enriches the educational experience and equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a complex, technology-driven world. We provide it,” Erin Orr said. Hala O’Connor, FSU School of Law Dean and Donald J. Widener President; “With a focus on innovation and forward-thinking scholarship, FSU Law is committed to ensuring our graduates are prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow.”
“The research our faculty conduct not only contributes to the broader debate about AI and law, but also enriches the educational experience and equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a complex, technology-driven world. – Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor.
Among the faculty members responsible are Sean Bayern, Larry Beltz, and Joyce Beltz, professor and associate dean of technology, who draws on his background as a computer programmer to develop his expertise in corporate governance and business law. We are investigating the impact of AI.
The Bavarian study showed that existing commercial law has the potential to confer legal personality on AI systems, and investigated the implications of that ability. He also analyzed how AI interacts with various legal areas, such as reverse engineering under agency law and trade secret law.
The University of Bavaria is one of the FSU Law faculty leaders in AI innovation.
McConaughey and Risman Law Professor Lauren Scholz is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of contract law and technology. Her research focuses on how AI-driven algorithms impact legal frameworks and market behavior, particularly through the lens of algorithmic contracts. In his previous work, Scholz showed how AI can form binding contracts on behalf of users.
Her research reveals the complexities introduced by automated systems, and the formal concept of consent in contracts may no longer be sufficient. Scholz argues that private law needs to evolve to reflect the realities of digital interactions. In digital interactions, users, businesses and consumers alike, often engage with complex platforms without fully considering the contractual implications.
The impact of AI extends even further into criminal justice, as Professor Stephen M. Goldstein’s Wayne Logan research reveals. In a recent article, Logan considered the constitutional implications of police use of AI-generated “deepfakes” to secure confessions from criminal suspects. His research highlights the urgent need for a legal framework that protects the rights of individuals in a world where compelling but fabricated evidence is used in criminal investigations.
By Gary & Sarin Pajic Professor Nadia Banteka also takes a closer look at where criminal law meets AI. Her research investigates the concept of legal personality for AI. Banteka is investigating whether AI will one day assume legal rights and responsibilities and what this means for accountability. Bhanteka’s research examines how the unique nature of AI challenges current legal frameworks, and how law and ethics can evolve to accommodate AI’s expanding role in society. This raises an important question: should we do so?
The FSU School of Law also houses the Institute for Law, Technology and Innovation, led by executive director and professor of law Aaron Voroy Dessauer. The Institute brings together students, academics, and business professionals to investigate how the rapidly evolving digital environment intersects with legal frameworks and innovation. Its goal is to connect law and emerging technologies to foster research, education and collaboration, from AI and data privacy to intellectual property and digital rights.
“This commitment to innovation and forward-thinking scholarship underscores FSU Law’s role as a leader in legal education,” said Voroy-Dessauer. “This is an area of growing interest and something we are focusing a lot on, including new courses, externship opportunities and a range of other events.”
For more information, visit law.fsu.edu.
