The 2026 Burnside Memorial Scholarship invited law students to discuss the pros and cons of the use of AI in the civil justice system with a focus on the effect on individuals seeking justice through the courts. Ultimately, if they concluded that the use of AI has a net positive or negative effect for civil claimants. 

​

Applicants were also asked to record a 3-minute video presenting their initial impression of the issue, the most compelling or important piece of information they learned while researching the issue, and their conclusion upon completion of their essay.