As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes legal research and writing, law schools are adjusting their honor codes and curricula to address students’ increasing use of AI tools. While some institutions are imposing strict limitations, others are embracing a more flexible approach, allowing professors to set their own guidelines.
The shift comes as generative AI becomes a fixture in legal practice, embedded in research platforms and other professional tools. However, the lack of standardized guidelines has raised concerns over ethical risks and academic integrity. Schools are now tasked with balancing AI education with policies that discourage dishonesty.
At the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, AI usage was added to the honor code at the start of the academic year, classifying unauthorized use as plagiarism. “Our students are either going to use AI tools or be used by AI tools,” said Associate Professor Bryant Walker Smith, who teaches at both the law and engineering schools.
Other institutions have adopted policies that regulate AI’s role in coursework while recognizing its value. One prominent law school allows students to use AI for research and editing but prohibits AI-generated writing in assignments or exams. Faculty members can grant exceptions in writing.
“I thought it was critical to stop the ban advocates from creating a broad prohibition on these technologies because their use will be so crucial for future professionals,” said a professor involved in drafting AI policies. In his course, Programming for Lawyers, students begin working with AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek by week seven.
Another top law school initially classified AI-generated content under existing plagiarism rules before later revising its policy to require citation of AI-generated material in assignments. By fall 2023, the school had further refined its guidelines to align with more flexible approaches, integrating AI into its mandatory first-year legal research and writing course.
“Some professors have been very entrepreneurial in making AI-driven drafting and research an integral part of how they teach,” said the school’s deputy dean. While most faculty members still limit AI to brainstorming and proofreading, others have incorporated it into their lesson plans to better prepare students for legal practice in an AI-powered world.
With AI’s influence on the legal profession continuing to grow, law schools will likely keep evolving their policies to ensure students are both ethically responsible and technologically proficient.
Stay tuned to DC Brief for further updates on this story and other technology developments.
