Andrew Perlman's Suffolk Law: US Law Schools' AI Policies Revealed
Summary
- A new website catalogues AI policies from 128 US law schools.
- The majority of law schools require instructor opt-in for AI use in submitted work and exams.
- Some law schools, like Berkeley, have more restrictive policies that may serve as a precedent or model for other institutions.
- Lawyers should review their own institutions' AI policies to ensure compliance with the majority approach.
What Happened
The majority of law schools have adopted a policy requiring instructor opt-in for AI use in submitted work and exams.
A new website launched by Andrew Perlman, dean of Suffolk University Law School, catalogues AI policies from 128 US law schools. The site, AI in Legal Education: Law School Policy Archive, reveals the widespread and varied approaches to regulating AI use in legal education. The archive is organized into eight topic areas and includes public AI policies, teaching strategies, and curricular programs from participating schools.
Legal Context
The majority of law schools have adopted a policy requiring instructor opt-in for AI use in submitted work and exams. This approach is consistent across various institutions, including Stanford, Northwestern, Virginia, Michigan (proposed for 2026-27), North Carolina, Wisconsin, and dozens of others. The rule varies in its implementation, with some schools treating unauthorized AI use as cheating or plagiarism, while others view it as unauthorized assistance.
Why It Matters
Lawyers should review their own institutions' AI policies to ensure compliance with the majority approach. Some law schools, like Berkeley, have more restrictive policies that may serve as a precedent or model for other institutions. The archive highlights the need for transparency and consistency in regulating AI use in legal education.
Practical Implications
Lawyers should review their own institutions' AI policies to ensure compliance with the majority approach, which requires instructor opt-in for AI use in submitted work and exams. They should also be aware that some schools, like Berkeley, have more restrictive policies that may serve as a precedent or model for their own institutions.
Source
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