Ever since students discovered artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, there have been concerns about its use. This has resulted in a rising number of schools and universities publishing AI use policies.

However, students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are enrolled in a Juris Doctor (JD) program—often shortened to the simpler “law school”—may be facing a more stringent policy regarding the permitted use of AI tools.

Law schools have a reputation for rigorous academic standards, with an emphasis on students’ critical thinking skills. However, the developers of AI tools are busy creating chatbots that provide more sophisticated content.

Another concern: the use of AI when completing an application for a law school. Although many schools have issued a 100% ban on AI, a few have traded the ban for a responsible use policy.

These factors encourage students to ask: “Are law schools actively checking if students are using AI? What are the implications of this technology in legal education?”

This article will investigate AI’s influence on today’s law students while they complete the challenging, three-to-four year course.

The Rise of AI in Education

AI tools, such as large language models and legal research assistants and AI essay writers, have become increasingly popular among students, and future attorneys are no exception. These tools can draft essays, analyze cases, and even generate legal arguments. 

For law students facing tight deadlines, heavy workloads and complex assignments, the temptation to use AI as a shortcut is undeniable, even if its use is prohibited.

However, if an AI-generated legal essay or coursework isn’t reviewed, the student’s shortcut could be more than cheating…it could be embarrassing. Here are some reasons why.

Problems With AI in Legal Education

While AI tools can be useful in research, their use in academic settings presents several significant problems.

The first is simple: the data produced to respond to a student’s prompt could contain errors.

Accuracy Isn’t Guaranteed. Yet.

While AI tools continue to be improved, they’re not infallible, and this feature is still in the future. 

While studying for a career where accurate knowledge is vital, total reliance on AI-generated content can have serious consequences. The smartest AI tool is only as smart as its data.

For example, a student who relies on AI to assist with subjects such as constitutional law, contracts, property law or civil procedure may end up with homework that contains accurate details of these subjects…for another country.

A related problem is that AI models may reflect the bias featured in a portion of the data that it draws upon.

Biased Data Equals Biased Content

Even expertly-written prompts cannot prevent the possibility of bias in AI-generated content. 

AI models are trained on vast datasets that may contain historical biases, including racial, gender, or socioeconomic prejudices. When these biases are reflected in AI-generated content, they can make a student appear to share them.

This is particularly concerning in a field where fairness and equality before the law are paramount principles. 

Since instructors may only suspect a student’s use of AI, many law schools have introduced different strategies to detect it. 

Detection Methods and Challenges

While many law schools allow the use of AI tools in some areas, generation of coursework such as an essay is prohibited at virtually all institutions. 

This has resulted in the use of software programs that examine the consistency of a student’s writing style across multiple assignments.

Some of the more traditional law schools have returned to proctored, in-person examinations to ensure original work.However, some law schools have already realized the growing importance of AI in business, including law.

Law and Technology Opportunities

Students at Northwestern Pritzker and Chicago-Kent Schools of Law may add AI to their studies, taking courses such as AI and Legal Reasoning. 

Law students who are looking for a suite of AI tools may want to consider Undetectable.ai. In addition to AI detection and enhancement, Undetectable offers AI tools that allow users to choose a level of readability, such as University or Doctorate.

Other Undetectable AI tools allow users to specify the type of content they’re improving, including legal materials.The question “Are law schools checking if you’re using AI?” doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. While some schools resort to detection methods, the focus is shifting towards ethical use rather than mere prohibition.