image credit :findlaw.com Michigan Law School Allegedly Implements Ban on ChatGPT-Generated Applications At a social gathering in London i...

 

image credit :findlaw.com

Michigan Law School Allegedly Implements Ban on ChatGPT-Generated Applications

At a social gathering in London in 1883, Oscar Wilde, widely regarded as one of the greatest literary minds in history, reluctantly acknowledged painter James McNeill Whistler's clever remark by stating, "I wish I had said that." In response, Whistler humorously predicted, "You will, Oscar, you will."

Renowned American playwright William Inge once asserted, "Originality is undetected plagiarism."

Now, you might wonder about the significance of these quotes. The timeless pursuit of creativity has become increasingly relevant with the rapid ascent of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is exemplified by the emergence of ChatGPT in November 2022, sparking a myriad of ethical inquiries and, in some instances, causing significant repercussions for individuals.

Generative AI Worrying Educators

Ah, the stressful days of university applications, grappling with the formidable challenge of crafting personal statements and application essays. A task demanding time and effort, yet the uncertain rewards linger. Will the meticulous work even be perused? It's understandable to feel tempted by the prospect of utilizing large language models (LLMs) as a convenient solution. Just input a prompt or two, and voila, the job is done. Sounds like a breeze, doesn't it?

However, the ease may not be as apparent as it seems. If your aspirations include applying to the University of Michigan Law School, it's advised to steer clear of ChatGPT. In the Summer of 2023, the school's admissions department implemented a categorical ban on the use of any Chatbots or AI tools. Notably, Michigan stands out as the first law school mandating candidates to certify that they haven't employed AI tools in drafting their applications. Aspiring students must also affirm that no other person has contributed beyond "basic proofreading or general feedback." While challenging to verify, any falsification of this claim poses the risk of admission revocation or eventual expulsion.

It's worth noting, however, that Michigan Law School's Honor Code does not prohibit enrolled students from utilizing AI, leaving this decision to the discretion of individual professors.

Other Schools Take Different Approach

Other law schools have adopted a more flexible approach. ChatGPT aficionados might feel more comfortable applying to Arizona State University Law School, which has announced that it will allow applicants to use ChatGPT and is even offering a course on it, open across majors. The University of California, Berkeley School of Law also appears to be more amenable to the use of AI and was one of the first law schools in the country to adopt a formal policy on the topic.

Is Generative AI an Unescapable Reality for Lawyers?

The legal profession, with its significant emphasis on sourcing relevant precedents and composing submissions, is notably susceptible to the proliferation of AI tools. However, the blind reliance on AI presents a perilous landscape, particularly as large language models are prone to "hallucinations" or "confabulations." This occurs when AI adeptly drafts content that lacks a factual basis—a nightmare scenario for any lawyer or client. This hard truth became evident for the attorneys at Levidow, Levidow & Oberman P.C. when a judge ruled that their ChatGPT-generated federal court brief relied on "bogus judicial decisions with bogus quotes and bogus internal citations." Consequently, the legal team faced a $5000 fine for acting in bad faith.

The challenges associated with AI in the legal field extend beyond law school faculties; practitioners are grappling with the need to establish clear parameters for the safe use of AI. Regulators worldwide are currently contemplating.