The University of Chicago Law School is introducing one of the strictest AI-related education policies in the United States by banning phones, tablets, and laptops from all required first-year law classes beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. The move is part of a broader strategy to create "AI-resilient" legal education, ensuring that students develop critical thinking, legal reasoning, and analytical skills before relying on AI tools. The school says the policy is designed to strengthen foundational learning rather than simply prohibit technology.
The new approach extends beyond the classroom. First-year students will take in-person, offline examinations without internet access or AI tools, and students writing major research papers will be required to defend their work in oral discussions with professors. These measures are intended to verify that students genuinely understand and can explain their legal reasoning instead of depending on AI-generated content. Faculty members may make limited exceptions, such as designating note-taking "scribes" or providing accommodations where required.
Importantly, the university is not banning AI altogether. Instead, it plans to teach students how to use AI responsibly and ethically in legal practice. The school encourages productive uses of AI, such as creating practice questions, clarifying legal concepts, or assisting with studying, while discouraging its use as a shortcut that replaces genuine learning. Clinical programs and advanced courses will continue incorporating AI tools so graduates are prepared for a profession where AI is becoming increasingly common.
The policy comes amid growing concerns about AI-assisted academic dishonesty and several high-profile cases of lawyers submitting court filings containing AI-generated inaccuracies or fabricated legal citations. Rather than attempting to eliminate AI from education, the University of Chicago argues that legal education must evolve by balancing independent human reasoning with responsible AI literacy. The initiative reflects a broader trend in higher education, where institutions are redesigning teaching and assessment methods to preserve essential human skills while preparing students for an AI-enabled future.
