Organisational, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Using the Artificial Intelligence in Educational Process at Law Faculties in Russia

Introduction. In higher education, the issue of using digital technologies that have already proved their value in other areas of social life (big data, digital libraries, the Internet of Things, etc.), and those that have recently become publicly available and still are rarely used in the education system (but are sure to be used in the future) is gaining relevance nowadays. The latter include the artificial intelligence, with ChatGPT 4.0 neural network being one of its types. In Russia, the need to implement the artificial intelligence (AI) is directly stated in the Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 490 of October 10, 2019, where the National AI Development Strategy for the period until 2030 has been approved. The Russian Federation Government Directive No. 3759-r “On Approval of the Strategic Direction in the Field of Science and Higher Education Digital Transformation” of December 21, 2021 emphasizes that the goal of digital transformation is to achieve a high level of “digital maturity” in higher education organizations, scientific organizations and the responsible sectoral body of federal executive power. The above regulatory requirements induce the research on the prospects of AI technology implementation in educational institutions of all types, including law faculties. The objective of the research is to analyse the organisational, legal and ethical aspects of using the artificial intelligence and justify (on an example of ChatGPT) the advantages and threats of integrating the neural networks in the study process at law faculties of Russian universities.

Materials and Methods. In the research, the commonly accepted in Russia methods of scientific cognition were used: the dialectical method, analysis, synthesis, historical case-specific method, logical, comparative legal, systemic methods, and others.

Results. In the frame of the research, the theory and practice of using the artificial intelligence in educational process at law faculties have been analysed on an example of ChatGPT neural network. The need of embedding into the curriculum (e.g., at Master's level) the special academic courses that present the features of using the artificial intelligence in juridical practices has been justified. The advantages and threats of using the artificial intelligence, possible regulations for its use in the study process have been identified. Ethical issues of using the artificial intelligence have been investigated, and the experience of various Russian and foreign universities that accept its usage has been summarised.

Discussion and Conclusion. Humanity is on the threshold of a new industrial revolution, therefore it is impossible to hinder the development of artificial intelligence any longer. Under the influence of ChatGPT, not only the concept of higher education and a list of teacher and student competencies will change in the nearest future, but also the very understanding of ethics, acceptability and parameters of using the artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. The ideology and philosophy of higher education will change, which will entail legal, methodological, technical and other consequences resulting in adoption of the new digital-reality-related amendments to the Russian Law on Education. The countries where a conservative approach to the new digital educational technologies prevails, will be lagging behind the advanced countries of the world. Formation of a new digital model of graduate’s competencies will happen against the background of other social life changes, including the use of the Internet of Things, unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, artificial intelligence, big data, nanotechnology and many other things. Although the majority of these innovations are not directly related to law, their use will require a legal framework, and lawyers competent in resolving digital disputes will be needed. This is precisely why digital technologies should be integrated into education and taught to students of law faculties.

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