Esra Tekin
July 12, 2026•update: July 12, 2026
The University of Chicago is introducing stricter policies regarding the use of artificial intelligence as part of a broader education strategy, CBS News reported Saturday.
The university recently published a strategy statement outlining how AI is already impacting higher education and the legal profession.
One of the most significant changes will apply to first-year law students, who will be prohibited from using phones, laptops, or other digital devices in the classroom.
Instead, take notes using just a pen and paper.
According to Adam Chilton, dean of the University of Chicago Law School, the policy is designed to accomplish two goals.
First, it encourages students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, rather than relying on AI for quick answers that can inhibit deep learning.
Second, universities also recognize that AI is becoming an essential tool in the legal profession, so students must learn how to use it effectively and responsibly.
“At the same time, we want to produce graduates who can go out into the world knowing how to use new technology in the most efficient way possible,” Chilton told CBS News.
“We need to have an honest conversation about how we can enable students at all levels to not only think without machines, but also to think with machines,” he added.
A Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spokesperson said the district has restricted access to certain AI tools on its network and established acceptable use policies along with guidance for educators and students on the appropriate use of AI.
Some AI applications are allowed, but students must disclose their use of artificial intelligence in their assignments, including an explanation of how they are used, and cite them appropriately. Failure to do so will be considered a violation of the district’s code of conduct.
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has also taken a position on AI in education.
Similarly, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) requires students to acknowledge and agree to the university’s Code of Conduct before accessing university-provided AI tools.
The University of Chicago’s new AI policy comes after the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released statewide guidance on artificial intelligence.
This guidance is designed to help schools responsibly incorporate AI into teaching, learning, and administrative operations, while preserving the essential role of educators and supporting student development.
