Chicago U law school bans AI use in classes
The University of Chicago Law School is banning first-year students from using phones and laptops in the classroom as part of a broader strategy to curb AI usage.
The strategy statement, “Rethinking Legal Education in the AI Era,” emphasises sharper critical thinking and practical AI skills.
The approach goes into effect this autumn.
The strategy framework has three core themes:
- Developing AI-resilient pedagogy and assessment: This includes restricting electronic devices from core classes and examinations to ensure students learn foundational concepts without reliance on technological shortcuts,
- Essential human skills: The curriculum focuses on strengthening traits including critical thinking, rigorous intellectual inquiry, ethical reflection, effective communication, informed judgment, and client empathy,
- Teaching the responsible, effective, and ethical use of AI: The school aims to train students to think “with, without, and about AI”William Hubbard, chair of the Law School’s AI Committee, said that a policy dictating what students could and could not use AI for was no longer viable because the technology was becoming integrated into standard workflows.
Hubbard stated that, while AI efficiency tools were beneficial in a professional context to save time and maximise output, they disrupted the educational process, where manual effort was required for foundational learning.
Clinical Professor Mark Templeton added that the policy was designed to maintain the core values of the institution's legal education amid ongoing technological changes.
“The Law School prides itself on being uniquely focused on producing graduates who are prepared to be excellent lawyers,” said Dean Adam Chilton.
“We have always been willing to innovate with our curriculum to ensure that that’s always true. This moment is no different.”
“AI is part of our world whether we like it or not, and this new way forward honours all the best parts of a UChicago Law education,” Hubbard stated.
AI had also become much more powerful and accurate, Hubbard continued.
No longer workable
“It’s no longer workable to have a policy built around what you can and can’t use AI for when we’re moving towards a world in which everything we do has AI built into it.”
Templeton added: “This is really about how we maintain and carry out our core values in a changing technological world.”