The University of Chicago Law School will require first-year students to keep laptops closed during classes this fall, part of a broader effort to ensure students develop independent thinking as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the legal profession. The move comes as colleges nationwide grapple with AI's impact on higher education, including recent cheating scandals at institutions like Brown University.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
The University of Chicago Law School announced a ban on laptops, phones, and tablets for first-year law students starting this fall. The policy aims to prevent AI-assisted cheating and encourage critical thinking. The school is also redesigning its curriculum to distinguish between skills students should develop independently and those where AI can be leveraged.
Deeper Dive & Context
Policy Details
The ban includes in-person proctored exams to prevent access to outside materials and oral defenses for major research papers. The school is also expanding AI instruction by integrating legal AI tools like Harvey and Legora into courses.
Broader Impact
The University of Chicago Law School has been working for a year to determine the best way to adopt AI within its curriculum and policies. Administrators sought feedback from students, faculty, law firm leaders, and legal technology executives. The school emphasizes the need for students to think critically and independently while acknowledging the reality that AI tools are widely available and will be essential in legal practice.
Opposing Views
Some educators argue that banning AI outright is ineffective, as students will continue to use it outside the classroom. Others believe stricter measures are necessary to maintain academic integrity. The University of Chicago Law School's approach seeks a middle ground by integrating AI into the curriculum while ensuring students develop foundational skills without relying on the technology.