To AI-Proof Lawyers, Some Law Schools Restrict Technology

Several top law schools are limiting the use of generative AI to help students develop essential legal skills.
University of California, Berkeley’s law school prohibits AI use in submissions unless specified by the professor.
University of Texas at Austin encourages faculty to engage students in rigorous discussions to minimize student reliance on AI during class.
University of Chicago Law School bans laptops, tablets, and phones in the classroom for first-year students to promote direct, human-led learning and critical thinking.
These institutions aim to equip students with skills like live discourse and debate, which they deem hard for AI to replicate.
Despite restrictions, law schools acknowledge the role of AI in the legal profession and aim to teach students how to use and critique AI effectively.
These policies emphasize the importance of accountability and human judgment in legal work, especially with regard to avoiding AI-generated errors.