Olivia Russo
News Editor
Three panelists joined the University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service to give their 11th Annual Symposium, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI)”. Which focused on the impacts of AI and how it can be implemented into everyday life of schools and law firms.
The panelists included Heidi Baynes, a coordinator of education technology for the Riverside County Office of Education, Pratik Shah, founder and CEO of EsquireTek, and Brittany Hernandez, attorney and professional no-code/low-code developer. There was also a video shown by Dominique Shelton Leisig, founder and CEO of Global Data Innovation Inc.
This symposium was held at 10 a.m. on April 11, in the Campus Center Ballroom, to an audience of about 30 people and 60 attending on Zoom. Throughout the two and a half hours, the panelists received questions from the host, Paul Naccachian, about various topics related to AI. Then allowed a short question and answer session at the very end.
“I would be the first to admit that I was actually hesitant to try AI, when it was first coming out,” Hernandez said. “Firstly just acknowledging that it’s completely understandable to be hesitant or resistant at first to adopt new technology. But I think that we can have more confidence with curiosity.”
Many of the topics covered in regards to the use of AI was to make sure the technology does not do the work for an individual, but to make time consuming work more efficient.
“You have to know when to use it and what to use it for and what not to use it for,” Shah said. “And that comes from experience, and that comes from paying attention… The bottomline with AI and this technology is it’s going to make good lawyers better and bad lawyers worse.”
Hernandez explained that law firms use AI systems that they can ensure only use information that is relevant to their company. This way, their use of AI will not get mixed with others who use these programs for fun.
Most of the answers from the panelists put emphasis on what the AI should do for those using it. While it is a fun tool, they do not want it to compromise their critical thinking skills as well as their reputation.
They make sure to reread everything that was given to them by the tool, as they are aware the system may make a mistake.
While Shah and Hernandez were able to give a perspective on how AI is being used by lawyers, Baynes was able to give a perspective on how K-12 schools are reacting to the use of AI.
She explained that at the beginning, students seemed to be using these new technologies faster than the faculty and staff, so they needed to move the conversation from students cheating to what the program could do for education.
“I want this to amplify it to learning and I want it to personalize learning but I don’t want them to use those skills that you develop… that helps us become critical thinkers and communicators and collaborators,” Baynes said.
She also focused on how the curriculum of the schools may need to change because they are starting to become outdated, if there is new technology that can do the same things that schools are asking students to do.
During the Q&A session, all the panelists were asked about their relationship with AI knowing that it can harm the environment.
“We’re in an infancy phase,” Shah said. We haven’t even scratched the fingernail of what it’s going to look like by five, ten years from now. And that’s the combination of just the things it’s going to do, but also on the backhand, how quickly can we create the next technology.”
From hearing the panelists, some of those in the audience were able to calm their doubts about the new technology. Due to the fact that they have first hand experience with the new technology and know more about how it works.
“So I think it does ease a little bit of those doubts, but also like having this caution,” Rebekah Hong, senior law student, said. “This wise caution about how to approach it but also know we could use it in a really good way as we continue to develop.”
Olivia Russo can be reached at olivia.russo@laverne.edu.
Olivia Russo is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism and a minor in criminology. She is the Editor-in-Chief for the Campus Times for Spring 2026. She has previously served as the News Editor, LV Life Editor, a photographer and a staff writer for the Campus Times, as well as a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine.
Thatiana Gibbs is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print-online journalism. She is a photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. Her enthusiasm lies in research, writing, and effectively delivering captivating information to the public eye. She has previously been an assistant editor and staff writer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer for La Verne Magazine.
