The University of Chicago Law School is introducing one of the nation’s most restrictive classroom technology policies as legal education adapts to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Beginning with the upcoming academic year, incoming first-year law students will no longer be permitted to use laptops or phones during required classes. School leaders say the move is designed to strengthen critical thinking, legal reasoning, and analytical skills before students begin relying on AI-powered legal tools.
The Chicago Law AI ban reflects a growing debate across legal education. While many law schools are expanding AI instruction and encouraging responsible use of emerging technologies, Chicago is taking a different approach by emphasizing foundational legal skills first.
Key Takeaways
- The University of Chicago Law School will ban laptops and phones in required first-year law classes.
- The policy aims to strengthen critical thinking before students begin using artificial intelligence.
- Students will initially learn legal analysis and writing without AI assistance.
- AI instruction will later be introduced through legal research, writing courses, and advanced electives.
- Upper-level students will continue using AI-focused courses and the school’s legal technology laboratory.
- The policy represents one of the strongest AI-related classroom restrictions among U.S. law schools.
- The decision reflects the growing debate over balancing AI literacy with traditional legal education.
Chicago Law Prioritizes Independent Legal Reasoning
According to Dean Adam Chilton, students must first develop the ability to analyze legal issues independently before artificial intelligence becomes part of their everyday academic work.
Dean Adam Chilton said the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education, making it essential for students to first master critical thinking and legal reasoning before using AI as part of their training.
The policy is believed to be among the broadest technology restrictions adopted by any U.S. law school. Chilton said he is unaware of another institution that has implemented a blanket prohibition on personal electronic devices in all required first-year classes.
Supporters argue that the policy encourages students to engage more deeply with classroom discussions, sharpen their legal reasoning, and develop stronger communication skills without digital distractions.
What the New Chicago Law AI Policy Includes
The technology restrictions apply to all required first-year courses, including constitutional law, contracts, civil procedure, criminal law, property, and torts.
Instead of allowing every student to use a laptop, professors may designate a limited number of class “scribes” who will take electronic notes and share them with classmates afterward.
In addition, first-year examinations will be conducted without internet access, digital files, or AI applications. This ensures students demonstrate their own legal analysis rather than relying on artificial intelligence or online research during exams.
The law school will initially pilot the policy during the upcoming academic year and evaluate its effectiveness before considering any future adjustments.
Artificial Intelligence Remains Part of the Curriculum
Despite the classroom restrictions, the University of Chicago Law School is not rejecting artificial intelligence.
Instead, faculty members plan to introduce AI gradually through legal research and legal writing courses after students establish strong analytical foundations.
Initially, students will complete writing assignments without AI assistance. Later, they will learn how to use generative AI responsibly for research, drafting, and other legal tasks while understanding its limitations and ethical risks.
Upper-level students will continue to have access to specialized AI courses, legal technology instruction, and the school’s AI laboratory, where they explore how artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice.
This balanced approach reflects the school’s belief that AI should enhance legal education rather than replace the development of fundamental legal skills.
Law Schools Continue to Debate AI in Legal Education
Chicago’s announcement comes as law schools nationwide continue reevaluating how artificial intelligence should be incorporated into the classroom.
Many institutions have adopted AI guidelines instead of outright bans. For example, some schools permit AI-assisted research while requiring students to disclose its use. Others have implemented limits on AI-generated writing or established honor code provisions governing generative AI.
Recently, the University of California, Berkeley School of Law introduced new restrictions governing AI use in coursework. However, those rules prompted debate among legal educators who questioned whether they might unnecessarily limit legitimate educational uses of the technology.
By contrast, Chicago Law has focused on eliminating digital devices from foundational courses altogether, believing students should first master legal analysis without technological assistance.
Why Critical Thinking Still Matters in the AI Era
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing legal practice. Today, many law firms use AI-powered platforms for legal research, contract review, document summarization, due diligence, and litigation support.
Even so, employers continue to place significant value on skills that technology cannot fully replace.
Strong legal judgment, persuasive advocacy, client counseling, negotiation, strategic thinking, and ethical decision-making remain essential for successful attorneys.
Chicago Law believes students who first learn to solve legal problems independently will ultimately become more effective users of AI once they enter practice.
That philosophy mirrors a broader trend within the legal profession. Rather than viewing AI as a substitute for lawyers, many educators see it as a tool that should complement well-developed legal reasoning.
Could Other Law Schools Follow Chicago’s Lead?
As generative AI becomes more deeply integrated into legal education and legal practice, additional law schools may revisit their own classroom policies.
Some institutions are expected to expand AI training through dedicated courses and practical exercises. Others may adopt stricter technology rules during foundational classes to preserve traditional legal education methods.
Regardless of which approach schools choose, Chicago’s decision signals that the discussion has evolved beyond whether AI belongs in legal education.
Instead, educators are increasingly asking a more important question: When should future lawyers begin using AI, and how can schools ensure they first develop the critical thinking skills that define excellent legal professionals?
The answer to that question may shape how the next generation of attorneys is trained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chicago Law banning laptops and phones?
The law school believes students develop stronger legal reasoning, analytical thinking, and classroom engagement when they learn without digital distractions or AI assistance during foundational courses.
Does the policy ban artificial intelligence completely?
No. AI remains part of the curriculum. Students will learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly after mastering core legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Which students are affected?
The policy primarily applies to incoming first-year students enrolled in required law school courses.
Will students still have access to AI technology?
Yes. Upper-level students will continue taking AI-related courses and using the school’s AI laboratory to study legal technology and artificial intelligence applications.
Why are law schools changing their AI policies?
Law schools are adapting to the growing use of generative AI in legal practice while ensuring students continue developing essential legal reasoning, ethical judgment, advocacy, and communication skills.
Could other law schools adopt similar rules?
Possibly. As AI becomes increasingly common in the legal profession, more law schools are evaluating how and when students should use artificial intelligence during their legal education. Some may expand AI instruction, while others may introduce stricter classroom technology policies similar to Chicago’s approach.
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Chicago Law Cracks Down on AI With Classroom Tech Ban first appeared on
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