Agentic AI and Vibe Coding for Lawyers

Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from passive tools to autonomous, goal-seeking systems capable of acting on behalf of their users. At the same time, new development paradigms such as “vibe coding” are changing how software is created, relying on intention, aesthetics, and emotional context rather than traditional logic and rules. These shifts raise urgent questions of liability, duty of care, confidentiality, and professional responsibility.

This CLE introduces lawyers to the concepts of agentic AI (AI systems with autonomy, planning, and tool use) and vibe coding (design and development driven by “vibes” or intent rather than code). Designed for legal professionals with little or no technical background, the course unpacks the technical basics, explores real-world hypotheticals, and situates these innovations within existing legal frameworks – from contract law and negligence to professional ethics and emerging regulation. Participants will leave equipped to spot risks, advise clients, and anticipate governance challenges in this rapidly changing landscape.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, viewers will be able to:

1.      Define the concepts of agentic AI and vibe coding in plain language suitable for client counseling.

2.      Identify a few potential legal risks associated with each, including liability, duty of care, and bias.

3.      Recognize how existing legal doctrines (agency law, product liability, professional responsibility) may apply to autonomous AI systems.

4.      Evaluate contractual provisions and risk allocation strategies relevant to agentic AI use.

5.      Advise clients on practical governance and oversight measures to reduce exposure when deploying or relying on these technologies.