The University of Chicago is sharply restricting the use of devices and artificial intelligence in its law school classrooms, announcing a policy that bars phones and computers for first-year law students and emphasizes handwritten note-taking to preserve foundational legal reasoning.
What the new rule does
The law school’s policy, unveiled as part of a broader strategy on artificial intelligence, requires first-year students to attend classes with a notebook and pen rather than electronic devices. Administrators say the change is meant to strengthen critical thinking and prevent students from leaning on AI shortcuts that could undermine learning.
"We want to ensure that our students are learning to think for themselves in a rigorous, critical way without relying on shortcuts through AI that might get them a quick answer but actually slow down the learning process," said Adam Chilton, dean of UChicago Law.
At the same time, the school is signaling that graduates must be prepared to use AI responsibly in legal practice, noting the dual goals of teaching independent analysis and practical tech literacy.
Why it matters
This move at a major private research university lands amid a national conversation over how to teach in an era of generative AI. Law schools face particular pressure: the profession demands precise analysis and ethical responsibility, and AI tools can both accelerate legal research and introduce risks, including hallucinations or failures to cite sources correctly. UChicago’s approach underscores a cautious stance that prioritizes foundational skills before supervised integration of AI into coursework.
- Device ban: No phones or laptops in first-year law classrooms; note-taking by hand.
- Pedagogical goal: Protect rigorous mental training and reasoning skills.
- Practical aim: Prepare students to use AI appropriately after mastering core skills.
Broader context
While the policy currently applies to the law school’s incoming class, the university framed it as part of a wider strategy for how AI affects higher education and the legal profession. Other education institutions are responding differently: Chicago Public Schools has blocked some AI products on its network and requires students to disclose AI use in work, with citations and usage descriptions tied to conduct rules.
| Institution | Measure |
|---|---|
| University of Chicago Law | First-year classroom ban on phones/computers; handwritten notes required |
| Chicago Public Schools | Network blocks for some AI tools; disclosure and citation requirements |
Universities nationwide are wrestling with how to teach students to "think without machines" while also equipping them to "think with machines," in the words of administrators cited in the announcement. The balance UChicago seeks — limiting in-class AI and devices to reinforce basic skills, while still training students to use AI in practice — could influence policies at other professional schools grappling with similar trade-offs.
