Behind the success of the AI workshop — Front row, from left: Prof Sylvia Papadopoulos (University of Pretoria), Khomotso Matsaung (Limpopo Legal Practice Council), and Lucien Pierce (PPM Attorneys).
Back row, from left: Reginald Matsheta, Adv Reuben Letseku, Chaka Mokhodu, Prof Hoolo Nyane, Prof Tlou Setati, and Adv Mafanywa Mangammbi (all from the Faculty of Management and Law, UL). Photos: Forgive Hlungwani
By Rinae Manenzhe – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
As technology continues to reshape industries, the legal profession is under pressure to evolve, with artificial intelligence (AI) leading this shift
At a recent workshop hosted by the University of Limpopo (UL)’s Department of Mercantile and Labour Law, legal experts emphasised that AI is not here to replace professionals, but to empower them.
The workshop, themed ‘Ethical Use of AI Tools (ChatGPT and Others) in Legal Research for Legal Practice’, focussed on the ethical and practical applications of AI in the legal research and practice. The academics, legal practitioners, and students gathered to engage critically with how the profession must adapt in the digital age.
Professor Sylvia Papadopoulos, Associate Professor of Technology, AI, and Law at the University of Pretoria
Keynote Speaker Professor Sylvia Papadopoulos, Associate Professor of Technology, AI, and Law at the University of Pretoria, discussed the tangible impact of AI on legal workflows.
“This is not just a symbolic transformation,” she noted. “It is practical, impactful, and far-reaching.”
She highlighted that leading South African law firms have already adopted AI tools such as Harvey, which streamline tasks like document review, legal drafting, and court preparation, enabling legal professionals to save up to four hours on certain assignments.
Khomotso Matsaung, Director at Limpopo Legal Practice Council
Khomotso Matsaung, Director at the Limpopo Legal Practice Council, highlighted the need for responsible and effective use of these tools.
“As lecturers, students, and legal practitioners, we must adapt- this technology is no longer emerging, it is here to stay,” she stated.“We need to understand how AI works, and assess the quality, reliability, and authenticity of the information it provides,” said Matsaung.
Lucien Pierce, Director at PPM Attorneys.
Addressing concerns about job security, Lucien Pierce, Director at PPM Attorneys, reassured attendees that AI will enhance rather than displace human legal expertise.
“AI is not here to replace professionals, it is here to empower them,” he said.
Pierce explained how tools like prompt engineering, AI-powered presentation builders, and transcription software are aiding solo attorneys and small firms, helping them operate more efficiently with limited resources.
The workshop also provided students with a platform to reflect on their future roles in a tech-driven legal landscape. David Ramokhola, a second-level LLD student at UL, remarked, “Considering how AI is already utilised in developed countries, it’s evident that it improves legal consultations and efficiency. As future attorneys, we must adapt and keep pace with it.”
Concluding the session , Professor Hoolo Nyane, a constitutional law scholar at UL, offered a thought-provoking reminder, thus, “We are already living in the future. Embracing digital technologies is no longer optional, but we must also recognise the challenges they present .”