When I entered Enverga Law School, no one told me studying law would be easy—and, truly, there is no shortcut to succeeding in this field. As a first-year student balancing work and school, the experience has been intense. It demands sleepless nights, a diminished social life, and less time with family and friends. Like they said, “Law school is a jealous mistress”: a demanding profession that requires constant dedication. Still, I find myself surviving each day with the help of digital tools—social media apps, AI, and platforms like Digest.ph—which make my study routines more efficient and accessible.
It made me wonder: if today’s generation of law students depends heavily on these tools, what about Filipino lawyers who survived law school without AI? So, the question becomes: Do digital tools help law students—or do they harm us?
AI in Legal Learning
When AI tools like ChatGPT emerged, they quickly became a source of guidance for law students. They make comprehension easier and help break down complex legal ideas. Many students have integrated these tools into their study habits. With just one prompt, ChatGPT can produce a case digest as long as you supply the G.R. number and date.
I spoke with Bea Flores, a fellow law student from Lyceum of the Philippines University–Manila, about her AI usage. Her routine begins with checking the codal and reading the full-text case online. Whenever she encounters a difficult sentence, she copies and pastes it into ChatGPT for a syntax breakdown. As someone who focuses on sentence structure, she uses AI to clarify how ideas are formed.
Changes in Law Students’ Habits
I also asked my Constitutional Law 1 professor, Atty. Lovel Evangelista, whether she has noticed changes in students’ study habits and research methods now that AI and digital tools like Digest.ph are widely used.
According to her, these resources help students grasp complex legal arguments more quickly. Research has become faster and less intimidating. However, she notes a downside: “Many now rely on digests rather than reading full-text cases. While this saves time, it can lead to a rudimentary understanding of judicial reasoning,” she said.
She emphasized that the real challenge today is learning how to use AI and digital resources correctly—as supplements, not substitutes, for full legal analysis.
Overreliance on AI can weaken students’ critical thinking skills, especially when AI becomes a shortcut instead of a study aid. Reading full-text cases, while time-consuming, sharpens analytical skills and deepens comprehension of how courts reach their decisions. These reading habits prepare students for the bar exam, which is why they must be developed early in law school.
AI tools are undeniably useful, but like anything powerful, they must be used in moderation.
Between Misinformation and Mental Fatigue: The Hidden Costs of Being Always Online
Legal information is everywhere—on websites like Lawphil.net, Digest.ph, and SCRA, as well as YouTube channels and Facebook pages run by lawyer-educators. Short-form videos explaining legal concepts, study tips, and bar preparation now flood students’ feeds.
However, not all sources are reliable. TikTok and YouTube law influencers often produce legal content without being legal experts. Students must be cautious and evaluate whether the information is accurate or oversimplified.
Today’s law students need not only critically thinking but also digital discernment, the ability to assess the credibility and depth of information, regardless of where it comes from.
The Future of Legal Learning
Atty. Evangelista shared her thoughts on the future: “If law schools and legal institutions integrate free resources into curricula and train all students in digital literacy, these tools can bridge gaps rather than deepen them. But if dependence on costly platforms continues, a new form of educational privilege may emerge—not based on intellect, but on access to technology.”
Even with AI becoming a regular part of legal education, the responsibility still rests on students—how we read, study, argue, and write. Traditional methods remain important: codal reading, case analysis, legal comprehension, and writing are still the core foundations of becoming a lawyer.
AI tools should serve as supplements, not replacements, for genuine learning. But remember, AI is here to stay but traditional remains at core.
