legal education
UC Berkeley School of Law restricts student use of AI
The University of California, Berkeley School of Law has banned students from using artificial intelligence. (Image from Shutterstock)
The University of California, Berkeley School of Law announced a new policy this week that prohibits students from using artificial intelligence during class assignments or exams.
“Lawyers of the future may need to be fluent in artificial intelligence,” according to a policy released Thursday by the law school. “However, the current state of technology requires that the use of AI be combined with the cognitive skills needed to deploy technology strategically, critically evaluate its output, and uphold ethical obligations to customers and the legal system.”
“In short, thinking is still absolute condition We provide excellent lawyers (and quality legal education),” the policy continues.
Activities prohibited under this policy include asking AI tools to brainstorm topics or papers, suggest organizational structures, or write paragraphs summarizing legal rules for papers. It is also against the policy to ask an AI tool to correct grammatical errors or identify sentences that may be removed from your paper.
The policy states that “the use of AI to assist in conceptualizing, outlining, drafting, revising, translating, or editing work submitted for credit is prohibited,” and also states that AI may not be used “in any exam context.”
Under this policy, students can use AI for research, but only for the purpose of identifying sources.
Chris Hoefnagle, a law professor at Berkeley, said: san francisco chronicle He proposed new rules after noticing the questionable legal basis for a growing number of student assignments.
“If you don’t have your own analytical judgment, the AI will do it for you, and it’s no longer your judgment,” Hofnagl said. san francisco chronicle.
Professors who teach courses that involve AI fluency or who want their students to use AI in specific situations may request an exemption from this policy.
Thank you above the law.
Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.
