My alma mater, the University of Michigan Law School, announced that applicants are not permitted to use generative AI in their law school applications. In direct contrast, Arizona State University Law School said that applicants CAN use such tools on their applications – as long as they disclose its use.
Is using ChatGPT (or some other tool) any different than using a paid coach or your uncle Fred to help with the application? Does Michigan Law think that its students will not use every tool they have to better understand cases or statutes? Does Michigan Law think that its graduates will avoid using one of the most transformative technologies ever in their legal practices?
Something of the announcement feels like a solution looking for a problem. I wonder if Michigan Law used any of the various AI detection tools on recent applications and found that applicants are using ChatGPT instead of their own words? Is this really a problem?
To me, using ChatGPT to write what is often called the “personal statement” is not very smart in the first place. Generative AI does not write “personal” essays. It does not write the types of essays that Michigan Law should be looking for. It does not write essays that reveal the type of person that is applying, providing an insight into an applicant’s unique background or an applicant’s problem solving skills or communication abilities.
Perhaps instead of Michigan Law “banning” its use, the school can instead point out that generative AI tools are more likely to hurt than help applicants in their efforts to be in the selective 10% or 12% that are offered admission.
The admissions department at the University of Michigan Law School is looking for personal statements and application essays that reflect the traits and writing ability of aspiring attorneys.
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But those essays better not have been written by ChatGPT.
Michigan Law has explicitly banned the use of the popular online chatbot and other forms of artificial intelligence tools on applications and now requires applicants to certify that they haven’t used those tools in the drafting process—an apparent first among law schools.
