The RPS Coach homepage not only describes the AI tool, the values embedded in it, and the topics it covers. It also includes a publications section with practical guides and tools that people may freely use, distribute, and post on their own websites.
I recently added several new resources that may be useful in legal education and dispute resolution practice. One is a guide for law students, and two are guides for parties in disputes.
People can use these resources just by reading them, though they also may take advantage of them as AI coaching tools. Using AI as coaches offers some distinctive advantages. People can use them whenever they need them, ask “dumb” questions, and brainstorm without worrying about being judged by other people. Users can chat with them to prepare for productive conversations with professors, mediators, lawyers, and others. Used thoughtfully, AI coaches can help people become better prepared to make important decisions.
Helping Law Students Become Effective Lawyers
Ten Things Law Students Can Do to Become Effective Lawyers provides practical guidance for law students throughout law school. It encourages them to:
- Appreciate the Value of Legal Education
- Understand the Realities of Law School and Legal Practice
- Take Charge of Your Own Legal Education
- Develop an Ethical and Satisfying Professional Identity
- Communicate Effectively in the Legal World
- Think Strategically About Cases and Clients
- Put Clients at the Center of Your Work
- Learn to Represent Clients in Mediation
- Use Artificial Intelligence Wisely and Ethically
- Manage Stress and Practice Self-Care
I suspect that most law professors would agree with practically all the advice in this guide, although they may emphasize different topics or present them differently.
Students who use the guide with AI can use it as the basis for coaching conversations about their legal education, career planning, and professional development. In this context, AI functions as a coach rather than as a tool for producing schoolwork.
Helping Parties Use AI Wisely
I also recently developed two guides about using AI in disputes.
I originally prepared these materials after the director of a mediation unit in a government agency described a recurring problem. Some self-represented parties relied on AI to estimate what their cases were worth and justify negotiation positions based on unrealistic assumptions. These parties’ reliance on AI made mediation much more difficult.
The guides are designed to help disputants use AI to improve their preparation and decision-making rather than rely on AI for predictions or recommendations it cannot appropriately provide.
One guide is a short graphic booklet introducing basic principles for using AI wisely in disputes. It emphasizes appropriate ways to use AI while helping people avoid common mistakes that can lead to poor decisions. It is especially appropriate for people with limited education, literacy, or familiarity with dispute resolution.
The second guide is more detailed, explaining productive ways to use AI in mediation, common mistakes to avoid, confidentiality concerns, and the mediator’s role in helping parties evaluate AI-generated information.
It’s important to provide these materials early in dispute resolution processes to help prevent unrealistic expectations from developing in the first place. Once people become anchored to inaccurate AI-generated assumptions, they may be reluctant to change their ideas during negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
Although these guides were originally designed for self-represented parties, they generally should be helpful for all parties. Mediation programs may wish to post them on their websites and/or provide them to participants before mediation sessions. Lawyers and mediators may wish to give them to clients as part of their preparation. Faculty also may provide them to students as practical introductions to thoughtful AI use.
I hope these resources will be useful in your teaching, dispute resolution programs, or professional practice, and that you’ll feel free to distribute them to others who might benefit.
