Embracing AI Literacy with Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and Communication

AI literacy has replaced AI expertise, writes Sheila Grela of the EDRM blog. While AI has become embedded in legal work, the important question is no longer whether legal professionals need AI skills. Rather, the focus is on the level of AI literacy required across different roles and the risks that emerge.

Legal professionals need a practical understanding of how AI influences their work and when human judgment must take precedence. As AI adoption expands, outcomes will depend on the nature of the work, the training that professionals receive, and the quality of judgment applied throughout the process.

A major component of AI literacy is curiosity. Legal professionals are trained to question assumptions, identify gaps, and investigate inconsistencies. While AI can support this process, they need to move beyond accepting initial responses. In areas such as eDiscovery and early case assessment, AI may identify patterns or anomalies, yet meaningful analysis only begins when legal professionals investigate what those findings actually mean.

Grela highlights the importance of critical thinking. AI can summarize, classify, and prioritize information quickly, yet speed does not guarantee accuracy. Outputs that appear reliable may contain omissions, misunderstand context, or overstate conclusions. As a result, AI should be viewed as decision support rather than decision replacement. Validation, testing, and careful review are essential.

Communication, persuasion, adaptability, teaching, and judgment are also crucial to AI literacy. AI can assist with drafting, analysis, and training materials, but legal professionals need to tailor messages, build trust, mentor colleagues, and make defensible decisions. 

Additionally, Grela discusses governance and data responsibility. Legal teams must understand where data originates, who controls it, what obligations apply, and whether a tool is approved for use.