Policy Text:
- Definition.
Generative AI includes any machine-based tool designed to help write, rewrite, or restructure language from user questions and prompts. Prohibited tools include, for example, Bard, ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, along with embedded tools in programs such as Grammarly or Microsoft Copilot. Generative AI is distinct from software that helps search for and extract information from data sources for use in research.
- Default Prohibition.
Use of Generative AI is prohibited in (a) any exam or final paper or (b) for aid in drafting any part of work submitted for credit, even if the use is fully documented.
Commentary: You must not prompt or engage with Generative AI in any way during any exam. You must write every word of your exam answer. Also, you may not use Generative AI to write part or all of a paper, nor may you copy or paraphrase output from Generative AI and present it as your own writing. It violates this policy to use Generative AI even if you openly acknowledge and fully document your use.
- Permitted uses.
- The Law School and University Generative AI policies are default rules. This means individual instructors can, and indeed are encouraged to, tailor their own more permissive policies, so long as their policies are stated in writing in the syllabus.
Commentary: The goal of this policy is to give instructors maximum flexibility to experiment with new Generative AI uses in legal education, while ensuring all students have advance written notice of the policy that applies to them. Instructors may, for example, permit specific uses of Generative AI if students show how and where they rely on it; or alternatively they may prohibit uses otherwise permitted under this policy.
- Students may use Generative AI to aid in studying, brainstorming, or to identify typographical errors.
Commentary: Some uses of Generative AI are allowed, unless prohibited by your instructor. For example, you may use a tool like ChatGPT to help prepare an exam outline or to summarize arguments regarding a legal controversy. Also, you may use Generative AI to brainstorm ideas or a bibliography for a paper, or to help identify typographical errors (but not to write, edit, revise, or translate your text). The key is that these permitted uses are not categorically different from uncontroversial, already-existing ways to get help with studying or writing, such as asking professors, professional contacts, or Google, provided the written work product remains solely your own. (Use of Microsoft’s spell- and grammar-check, Westlaw’s copy-with-reference, and Lexis’s copy-citation features are permitted). Note: you have an affirmative duty to ask your instructor for clarification if you have any doubt about whether your intended use of Generative AI is permitted.
- The Law School and University Generative AI policies are default rules. This means individual instructors can, and indeed are encouraged to, tailor their own more permissive policies, so long as their policies are stated in writing in the syllabus.
- Data protection.
All uses of Generative AI must comply with University policy protecting confidential and personal information.
Commentary: Concerns about the use of Generative AI are most pressing in law clinic and client-related contexts, but they are present as well in any law school setting where you may be inputting sensitive information into Generative AI prompts. By default, all text you enter into Generative AI tools is retained, used for training, and potentially outputted to other users in response to queries. You can easily find instructions online for how to disable retention and training use of your data (though not all tools allow opt-out). Any information that is confidential or personal must not be shared with any Generative AI tool unless you have disabled retention and training use of your data.
- Violations.
Unauthorized use of AI shall be treated as unauthorized assistance and/or plagiarism prohibited by the University’s Standards & Discipline Policy and the Law School’s Principles of Academic Integrity. If an instructor encounters potential violations of this policy, or their class-specific policy, they will contact the Dean of Students, who will provide guidance on disciplinary procedures and consequences.