Law School Limits Laptops as AI Transforms Work
Summary
University of Chicago Law School Dean Adam Chilton explains the school's new AI strategy, which limits technology in core first-year classes to strengthen human skills like listening and reasoning, while expanding AI training in legal writing and clinics. He notes AI tools like Harvey and CoCounsel are already transforming legal practice by handling research and document review, pressuring law firms to adopt them, and that demand for legal services may rise as AI lowers costs.
- University of Chicago Law School announced a policy limiting laptops, tablets and smartphones in first-year classrooms to focus on human skills like listening, reasoning and spontaneous analysis.
- The policy is part of a broader AI strategy that also expands AI integration in legal research, writing courses and clinics.
- Dean Adam Chilton says AI models now score near-perfect on the bar exam and legal benchmarks, raising questions about the unique value human lawyers will provide.
- AI tools like Harvey and CoCounsel are already used by law firms for tasks traditionally done by junior associates, such as document review, deposition analysis and contract comparison.
- Chilton believes the skill of listening and thinking on one's feet in conversation will remain valuable and may be emphasized by reducing laptop typing in class.
- He suggests AI will lower the cost of legal services, which historically increases demand, and does not expect a decline in the number of lawyers.
