648A Advanced AI Audits Practicum

Available to students who wish to do a second semester of the practicum, which is an evolution of previous successful research tutorials, students will work with outside partners such as courts, legal aid organizations, and nonprofits to audit, test, and red-team AI and algorithmic products designed to aid in the provision of legal services. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the quickly-growing algorithmic audit space, collaborate with staff at our partner organizations, and take co-ownership over projects and outputs, allowing students to become well-equipped to investigate and evaluate AI tools that their firms or clients may adopt.  Students wishing to take the course should have some knowledge in one of these areas: civil justice, social science, data science, or technology products/AI. Instructor permission is required to enroll.

Instructor permission is required to enroll in this course. 

To apply, email porcaro@law.duke.edu with a few sentences about why you're interested, a CV, and a work sample. (The work sample does not need to be something you produced in law school; any recent written product is ok.) Please send applications by June 24. Students will be notified by June 29. 

No technical experience is required. Students who are interested in public interest or legal aid; who have experience doing qualitative or quantitative research; or who have experience building software products are encouraged to apply.

Evaluation Methods
  • Project(s)
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
JD elective
IntlLLM-SJD-EXC elective
IntllLLM IP Cert
Course Type
  • Research Tutorial
Learning Outcomes
  • Legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context
  • Other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession

Fall 2026

2026
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

648A.01 1
  • Project(s)
  • Class participation
Keith Porcaro

Available to students who wish to do a second semester of the practicum, which is an evolution of previous successful research tutorials, students will work with outside partners such as courts, legal aid organizations, and nonprofits to audit, test, and red-team AI and algorithmic products designed to aid in the provision of legal services. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the quickly-growing algorithmic audit space, collaborate with staff at our partner organizations, and take co-ownership over projects and outputs, allowing students to become well-equipped to investigate and evaluate AI tools that their firms or clients may adopt.  Students wishing to take the course should have some knowledge in one of these areas: civil justice, social science, data science, or technology products/AI. Instructor permission is required to enroll.

Instructor permission is required to enroll in this course. 

To apply, email porcaro@law.duke.edu with a few sentences about why you're interested, a CV, and a work sample. (The work sample does not need to be something you produced in law school; any recent written product is ok.) Please send applications by June 24. Students will be notified by June 29. 

No technical experience is required. Students who are interested in public interest or legal aid; who have experience doing qualitative or quantitative research; or who have experience building software products are encouraged to apply.

Pre/Co-requisites
None

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.