Ethan Anderson
Assistant Editor
Annie Bui, a generative AI expert; Dan Munsey, San Bernardino County’s fire chief, and Steven Haskins, a public administration innovator, presented a lecture titled “AI and Gen AI in Law and Public Service: Current State and Future Outlook,” on Wednesday at the College of Law and Public Service in Ontario before an audience of about 40 people.
Bui shared insight into the differences between AI and Gen AI, or that being GenerativeAI is used to generate virtually anything that comes to mind, based on inputs and prompts.
“We should embrace it AI, educate ourselves, and learn more about it and use it to serve beside our expertise.” Bui said.
Munsey uses AI in his expertise at the San Bernardino County Fire Department in numerous ways. They use drones equipped with an object detection model to catch fires and share information directly with the department.
AI is also used to write reports saving hundreds of hours in time, and first responders use AI to predict where stationing first responders would be most effective.
“AI is the future and higher ed needs to explore it and get on the wave.” said Kevin Marshall, dean of the College of Law and Public Service.
AI seems to be very effective in supplementing government operations, especially at the local level. However, law practitioners have more concerns with what a legal industry with AI integrated would look like.
“AI will be extremely difficult to apply to a litigation situation,” insurance bad faith litigation attorney Randy Curry said. “It would be fantastic if it would make our jobs easier, but there are so many aspects of the law that vary and change.”
AI has proven to be effective in day to day operations in saving attorney’s time that can be better spent with their clients.
“There are a lot of client based activities that take a lot of time that can then be shortened and then used to build organizational culture; things in law firms that aren’t necessarily addressed right now.” Haskins said.
Haskins is however concerned with AI’s understanding of the complexities of law and how long it will take, if ever, for Artificial Intelligence to get to that point.
“Building the algorithms that require the computers to make good decisions are going to take a long time to build,” Haskins said. “AI will get there eventually but it will be misused along the way.”
Prior to the lecture, students helped themselves to a charcuterie board, mushroom florentine, chicken skewers, sliders, desserts and beverages. There was also a photo backdrop with text saying “Legal Leos” and “Giving Voice” wrapped around a Leopard head.
People in attendance were dressed business casual, some bringing something to take notes on.
With some time, the speakers said, AI will absolutely redefine the way we go about our everyday lives and work.
It will ultimately be those who understand and know how to harness artificial intelligence the correct, ethical way who will have the most broad career opportunities.
“AI is not going to take over the world like people say,” Bui said. “The people who know how to use AI will take over the world.”
Ethan Anderson can be reached at ethan.anderson@laverne.edu.
Ethan Anderson is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. He is the LV Life editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine. He has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times. As a lifelong student-athlete, he has picked up valuable skills that he seeks to apply in his career in public relations, and ultimately make an impact.
Anthony Eramya, a senior journalism major, is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. He has previously served as a staff writer for both publications.
