Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
AI for Lawyers: Communication and Creativity
What You'll Learn
- How to use AI to improve your writing
- How to use AI to improve your public speaking
- How to use AI to improve your creative problem-solving skills
- How to avoid falling into the AI-induced trap of going on “intellectual autopilot”
2 Modules
4 Hours
2 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About AI for Lawyers: Communication and Creativity
Learn two essential skills needed whenever you have a client to represent or a cause to champion: communication and creativity.
This course is the second in the four-part series “AI for Lawyers and Other Advocates.” In it, you will learn how AI can help you write better and how AI can help you speak better. You will also learn how to avoid a danger that can come when you rely too heavily on AI: going on intellectual autopilot and letting your own creativity and problem-solving skills atrophy.
Skills You'll Gain
- AI-Based Legal Compliance
- Communication Strategies
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Generative AI Agents
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to AI for Lawyers: Communication and Creativity, the second course in the AI for Lawyers and Other Advocates series. This course explores how artificial intelligence can strengthen written and spoken advocacy while preserving human judgment and creativity. Learners will practice using AI to draft, edit, and communicate more effectively, while also developing strategies to avoid overreliance on AI and maintain an authentic professional voice.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Communication and Creativity
- Video: Communication and Creativity
- Reading: Meet Professor Barry
- Reading: Help Us Learn About You!
- Video: Drafting→Editing
- Video: Drafting Dangers
- Video: Path Dependence
- Reading: AI Experimentation: Real-World Examples
- Reading: (Optional Exercise) AI Companion
- Discussion Prompt: (Optional) AI Companion
- Reading: (Optional Exercise) Notebook LM: Personalized Podcasts
- Discussion Prompt: (Optional)NotebookLM: Personalized Podcasts
- Ungraded Plugin: Check for Your Understanding
- Reading: Optional Materials: AI Research, AI Tips, AI Meditation
Module 2: Intellectual Autopilot
- Video: Intellectual Autopilot
- Reading: Optional Materials: Falling Asleep at the AI Wheel
- Video: Two-Question Minimum
- Video: Finding Your Voice(s)
- Reading: Practice: Finding Your Voice(s)
- Discussion Prompt: Share About the Voice (s) You Discovered
- Reading: (Optional) Practice: Tone Coach
- Discussion Prompt: (Optional) Upload Your Tone Coach Experience
- Reading: Edit Our Edits
- Video: Language of Common Life
- Reading: "Language of Common Life" Exercise (Your Words)
- Discussion Prompt: Upload Your Language of Common Life
- Reading: (Optional) Practice: Analyzing Others' Words
- Discussion Prompt: (Optional) Upload Others' Language of Common Life
- Ungraded Plugin: Check for Your Understanding
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Graded: Course Test
Grading Policy
Course materials are self-paced and remain open throughout the course. To pass and earn a certificate, learners must achieve an overall score of 80% or higher. The final grade is based entirely on the Course Test, which accounts for 100% of the course grade. Ungraded writing activities and knowledge checks are included to support learning and skill development.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
