INTRODUCTION
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as one of humanity's most significant inventions, leveraging machine learning to replicate human intelligence to varying degrees In many instances, AI surpasses human capabilities in task performance (Scharre et al., 2018) When utilized effectively, AI serves as a powerful tool, enabling humans to complete workloads more efficiently.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors by enhancing accuracy and efficiency In healthcare, AI improves diagnostic precision by analyzing scans, while in agriculture, it helps optimize crop yields through data analysis AI also contributes to energy conservation in factories and businesses In e-commerce, it analyzes customer behavior to recommend products and predict future purchases Gmail utilizes AI for spam filtering, achieving a remarkable 99.9% accuracy, a technology echoed by social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook for content moderation Additionally, AI is integral to facial recognition systems, enabling authentication by learning to identify faces despite changes In language education, AI enhances learning experiences through context-aware programs that adapt to real-world situations, addressing challenges in traditional language learning applications.
The introduction of AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT has significantly inspired students to learn languages and excel academically These advanced chatbots are designed to respond to inquiries with accurate, relevant, and current information, even on complex topics They can assist with various academic tasks, including writing poems, generating code, creating presentations, drafting contracts, composing cover letters, designing CVs, and fact-checking Consequently, AI technology presents a substantial opportunity for enhancing language learning (Huang et al., 2023).
AI technologies, while popular in Western societies, are still emerging globally, with only 44 out of 160 countries having established AI strategic plans, according to the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2021 Vietnam, spending less than a dollar per capita on AI compared to Singapore's 68 dollars, ranks 62nd in AI readiness but holds 26th place in AI research capacity worldwide By 2030, AI is projected to contribute $13 trillion to Vietnam's economy, making up 1.2% of its GDP, with applications in smart urban areas, healthcare, smart agriculture, and environmental technology However, the integration of AI in Vietnamese education remains minimal, as most schools adhere to traditional teaching methods and students and teachers are not adequately equipped to engage with AI technologies.
Many educators are hesitant to integrate AI into their curriculum due to several factors A primary concern is the insufficient access to necessary equipment and programs that support teachers in implementing Artificial Intelligence in their lessons Additionally, a lack of familiarity with AI technology further contributes to this reluctance While Vietnam has begun utilizing AI applications in various sectors, the educational landscape still faces challenges in embracing these advancements.
AI applications in education, particularly in language learning, remain underutilized in Vietnam Despite their potential benefits, access to AI tools like ChatGPT is limited, as it is unavailable in certain countries, including Vietnam The primary AI-based applications accessible to teenagers and young adults are Google Assistant and Apple's Siri, which serve as virtual assistants for Android and iOS devices, respectively.
The integration of AI in language education, particularly within the Legal English Department, presents both opportunities and challenges While AI can enhance writing skills and facilitate learning, there are concerns that over-reliance on technology may negatively impact students' language abilities This thesis aims to explore the implications of AI in language learning, highlighting its potential benefits and drawbacks.
Recent research, including works by Pikhart (2020) and Huang et al (2023), has explored the integration of AI technologies in language education, highlighting trends and their impact on language learning Additionally, studies such as those by Suryana et al have examined student perceptions and attitudes towards using AI applications to enhance English language skills.
(2020) However, there are currently no studies conducted about AI’s implementations, its impact on students in Legal English Learning
Students in the Legal English Department at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law primarily focus on language-related subjects, including Advanced Grammar and Language Skills, which emphasize general English usage To succeed in Advanced Writing, students must demonstrate precise and coherent writing abilities through academic tasks akin to IELTS writing Over three semesters, they study four core subjects—Legal Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—centered on legal language The curriculum trains learners to apply English within a legal context, covering areas like Legal terminology, consulting, contract review, translation, interpretation, and drafting While AI programs could enhance these subjects, their usage remains minimal, as students are still required to manually draft documents and perform translations Furthermore, despite numerous studies on AI's role in language teaching, research on its application in learning Legal English is limited.
This paper was carried out with a view to investigate the current usage of AI technologies such as software, and systems in the Legal English Department
This study is dedicated to observing the attitude and perception of English-major students towards Artificial Intelligence
This study examines the effects of AI on the Legal English Department, evaluating both the advantages and disadvantages of its influence It aims to draw conclusions on the viability of integrating AI into legal education and training.
In order to achieve the aim of this study, the research was designed to seek the answers to the following questions:
● How common is AI for students of the Legal English Department?
● What are the perceptions and attitudes that students have about AI?
● What are the benefits and challenges in the application of Artificial Intelligence in legal English learning?
University students, particularly those in the Legal Faculty of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, represent a key demographic for technology adoption, especially artificial intelligence Research by Olson et al (2011) indicates that young adults excel in utilizing various technologies compared to older adults The United Nations' 'ICT Facts and Figures 2017' report highlights that 71% of youth aged 15–24 are online, with developed countries showing that 94% of young people are internet users This early exposure to technology enhances their proficiency and willingness to leverage digital tools for efficiency and precision The study will focus on junior, sophomore, and senior students, aged 18 to 22, who are enrolled in the Legal English faculty, making them ideal candidates for exploring the integration of AI in their academic pursuits.
AI has revolutionized various industries by matching or even surpassing human abilities in performing specific tasks Its applications span numerous fields, including complex technical roles and professions that demand reasoning skills, such as law However, the effects of AI on the language learning process, particularly in Legal English, are still not well understood, with a lack of comprehensive studies addressing this area.
AI is transforming the study of Legal English, yet there is a lack of research on students' perceptions of AI technology within this field This thesis aims to shed light on how Legal English students view AI, including their awareness of its existence, their preferences for its use, and their understanding of how to effectively utilize it The findings will provide valuable insights into the current landscape of AI technology in Legal English education.
The study emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into education, highlighting its potential to enhance how students learn and engage with their fields In Vietnam, the adoption of AI as a daily tool in academic and professional settings is still emerging, necessitating further discussion The thesis raises awareness among students and educators about the practical applications of AI, dispelling myths of its complexity and showcasing its accessibility across various disciplines Additionally, it collects insights from participants regarding their experiences and attitudes towards AI, enabling teachers to understand students' challenges with the technology and their openness to its benefits, particularly within the Legal English Department and beyond.
The study's findings will serve as a foundation for educators in language and legal language faculties, particularly those with similarities to the Legal English Department, to enhance and innovate their teaching and learning approaches.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In order to understand the concept of Artificial Intelligence It is compulsory to break down the concept itself and define each of the words individually
The definition of "intelligence" is complex and remains a topic of debate, as highlighted by S Legg and M Hutter (2007) The concept has intrigued humanity since ancient times, with philosophers like Aristotle and Plato offering their interpretations in Ancient Greece, despite the absence of a unified definition.
CONCLUSION
In order to understand the concept of Artificial Intelligence It is compulsory to break down the concept itself and define each of the words individually
Defining "intelligence" is a complex and contentious issue, as highlighted by S Legg and M Hutter (2007) The notion of intelligence has been present since ancient times, with philosophers like Aristotle and Plato in Ancient Greece offering their unique interpretations, despite the absence of a unified definition for the concept.
Plato, as referenced in 'Towards an interdisciplinary framework about intelligence' by Palanca-Castan, Sánchez Tajadura, and Cofré (2021), identified reasoning as the essence of intelligence, categorizing it into two types: discursive and intuitive Discursive reasoning involves a methodical approach, progressing from premises to conclusions through clear and precise steps, representing a slower cognitive process In contrast, intuitive reasoning allows for a direct leap from premises to conclusions without the need for exhaustive deductive steps, making it a more streamlined form of reasoning Consequently, Plato regarded intuitive reasoning as the pinnacle of human intelligence.
Aristotle, as referenced in 'Towards an Interdisciplinary Framework About Intelligence' by Palanca-Castan, Sánchez Tajadura, and Cofré (2021), categorized the concept of the "soul" into three hierarchical forms: vegetative, sensitive, and intellectual The vegetative soul is responsible for growth and nutrition, while the sensitive soul builds upon this foundation by incorporating locomotive abilities and sensory perception The intellectual soul, the highest form, encompasses the characteristics of the sensitive soul along with the capacity for reasoning, distinguishing it as uniquely human.
Plato and Aristotle define human intelligence primarily as the capacity for reasoning, which has enabled humans to survive and reproduce effectively despite environmental changes Herbert Spencer's concept of "survival of the fittest," derived from Charles Darwin's work, emphasizes that species capable of adapting to various climates and producing offspring are those that thrive Throughout history, humans have demonstrated remarkable resilience, largely due to their intelligence and ability to adapt Modern philosophers, such as S Legg and M Hutter, have compiled various definitions of intelligence, noting common features like an individual’s interaction with their environment, task execution, and adaptability to diverse challenges They conclude that "intelligence measures an agent’s ability to achieve goals in a wide range of environments."
Artificiality refers to products created by humans rather than those found in nature, but it is often confused with synthetic products According to Herbert A Spencer (1998), the key distinction lies in their properties: artificial products aim to mimic natural items, while synthetic products strive to replicate them exactly For example, the US Food and Drug Administration has identified six key chemicals used in artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, commonly found in diet sodas as a sugar substitute In contrast, a synthetic sweetener would need to possess the exact chemical properties of natural sugar, making it indistinguishable from its natural counterpart This highlights the differences between artificiality and synthesis.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to man-made systems, including machines and programs, designed to replicate human intelligence and reasoning to achieve specific goals and adapt to various environments According to De Spiegeleire et al (2017), AI is categorized into three types: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), which excels in specific tasks and may match or exceed human capabilities; Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which can perform any task at a level comparable to human intelligence; and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), which surpasses human intelligence and performance across all tasks.
This study focuses on Artificial Narrow Intelligence (Narrow AI) due to its current limitations compared to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), which are expected to match or exceed human capabilities in all tasks Presently, Narrow AI relies heavily on human guidance and can even have harmful consequences if misapplied For instance, a survey by Patil and Davies (2014) evaluated Google Translate's effectiveness in medical communication, revealing only 57.7% accuracy The authors caution against using it for medical consent or patient research unless a human translator is unavailable or the situation is urgent Additionally, Narrow AI lacks consciousness and cannot handle tasks that require critical or abstract thinking.
Narrow AI has led to the creation of various applications, including Google Translate, Duolingo, Grammarly, and the Google Search Engine Additionally, advancements in chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Assistant, and Siri emphasize deep learning and machine learning techniques, enabling AI to assist humans in completing tasks and solving problems effectively.
The potential applications of this technology are vast and cannot be fully detailed in this thesis However, the author aims to highlight specific AI software and systems that could significantly enhance both English language learning and the field of Legal English.
2 The implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Legal English
Legal English is a specialized language utilized by legal professionals such as solicitors, barristers, judges, and attorneys for tasks like drafting legal documents and consulting This form of English is particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries, especially the USA and Commonwealth nations, as the use of English continues to expand globally Legal English is considered a subcategory of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), characterized by distinct terminology and syntax Unlike plain English, Legal English features unique vocabulary, including archaic terms like "heretofore" and technical jargon such as "bailment" and "abatement," which may be familiar to legal experts but not to the general public.
1999), foreign words/borrowed words such as stare decisis, de facto, de jure are Latin originated, appeal, default, pur autre vie are French based or borrowed (Veretina-Chiriac,
2012), synonymy such as assign - transfer, accord - satisfaction, acknowledge - confess which adds in more challenges for Legal Drafting and Legal Writing Haigh (2004)
Legal English differs significantly from plain English in its syntax and sentence structure, often characterized by lengthy, complex sentences with multiple clauses A key feature of Legal English is nominalization, where verbs are transformed into nouns, such as using "to make a statement" instead of "to state." Additionally, an impersonal style is prevalent, employing passive voice and third-person nouns like "everybody" and "nobody." While this neutral language style contributes to the objectivity of Legal English, it can also hinder comprehension for laypersons and those learning the language.
The below table gives comparison between Plain English and Legal English through examples
The person who is suing wants money because the other person didn't do what they promised
The plaintiff seeks damages for breach of contract, specifically for the defendant's failure to perform under the terms of the agreement
If the buyer doesn't pay on time, the seller can cancel the agreement and ask for money
If the buyer does not make payment within 30 days of the due date, the seller has the right to terminate the agreement and pursue damages for the breach.
I understand and agree that I have to follow the rules in this agreement, and so do my family and anyone who takes over for me
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be binding upon them and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns
This law says what embezzlement is and what happens if you're found guilty
This statute defines the elements of the crime of embezzlement and establishes the penalties for conviction
Legal English and plain English are distinct writing styles, each with unique characteristics and purposes Legal English is characterized by technical vocabulary and jargon specific to the legal field, while plain English employs simple, everyday language for better understanding Additionally, Legal English often features long, complex sentences with multiple clauses, whereas plain English favors shorter, more straightforward sentences The tone of Legal English is typically formal and impersonal, in contrast to the conversational and direct tone of plain English Lastly, Legal English is primarily used in legal documents, where precision is crucial, while plain English is utilized across various contexts, including government forms, consumer contracts, news articles, and instructional materials.
The primary distinction between legal English and plain English lies in their intended clarity; legal English aims for precision and is often complex and confusing for non-experts, whereas plain English prioritizes clarity and accessibility for the general public.
In conclusion, while there are notable differences between general English and Plain English, Legal English remains a distinct language characterized by its specific vocabulary, syntax, and grammar structures It is utilized by legal professionals to perform various tasks within the legal field, serving a clear purpose similar to that of Plain Language Given its inherent complexity and the necessity for precision, conciseness, and accuracy, Legal English presents a promising area for the application of AI technologies.