AI Takes a Loss in New Law School Policy

First-year law students at the University of Chicago will be eyes forward instead of looking at their own screens next school year. The law school is prohibiting phones, laptops, and tablets in classrooms as part of a new push to blunt overreliance on artificial intelligence while still preparing students to use it, CBS News reports. In a detailed statement, the school said it aims to build "AI-resilient" teaching, emphasize distinctly human skills like critical and strategic thinking, and train students in ethical, effective AI use.

Exceptions to the device ban include designated "classroom scribes" and tech-heavy exercises. New requirements will have students draft legal writing without AI but use it for research and revision, with both their work and AI usage evaluated. Upper-level electives will focus directly on AI tools in legal practice. Student reaction was a mix, with one saying, "I've taken classes where AI is actually part of the homework assignments, and I have dropped those classes because I don't want to be forced to use AI," per WMAQ. "I think it makes sense to regulate it, but I think we shouldn't deny the fact that it is part of our lives now and it's very useful," said another student.