The University of Chicago Law School will ban first-year students from using laptops, tablets, and phones in classrooms starting this fall. The policy aims to ensure students develop critical thinking and independent learning skills without over-reliance on artificial intelligence.
Administrators stated that the ban is a response to the increasing disruption AI poses to higher education. The school aims to adapt its curriculum and policies to embrace AI responsibly while maintaining rigorous legal education. This initiative aligns with the law school's history of innovation, according to a statement released by the university.
Throughout the past year, university officials consulted with students, faculty, legal professionals, and legal technology experts to shape the new strategy. The consistent feedback emphasized the need for students to learn critical thinking and strategic independence, while also acknowledging the widespread availability and future necessity of AI tools in legal practice.
The university's strategic vision for integrating AI includes developing AI-resilient teaching methods and assessments, promoting essential human skills that define excellent lawyers, and educating students on the responsible and ethical use of AI.
Under the new policy, first-year law students will not be permitted to use electronic devices in class. Instead, professors will designate "classroom scribes" to take notes for the entire group. Professors will retain the discretion to permit device use for specific, technology-enabled activities such as in-class polling.
The school also mandates that students use AI as a tool for legal research and writing assignments, but prohibits the technology from generating the content itself. Faculty will review any use of AI in assignments. Additionally, the law school plans to offer advanced elective courses focused on AI adoption within the legal field and adapting AI tools for legal work.
University officials acknowledged that it is unrealistic to assume students and lawyers will not use AI. However, they stressed the rapid evolution of legal technology and the uncertainty of which specific AI tools will remain relevant in the future. Therefore, AI skills training must extend beyond simply teaching current tools, preparing graduates for a dynamic professional landscape.