Laptops banned from US university classroom in bid to tackle student AI use

The University of Chicago Law School will ban laptops and smartphones for incoming first-year law students starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, aiming to develop "AI-resilient pedagogy" and ensure students learn critical thinking without relying on artificial intelligence. Examinations will also be conducted in-class without internet or electronic access, as the legal sector faces increasing AI automation.

Laptops banned from US university classroom in bid to tackle student AI use - The University of Chicago Law School has announced a ban on laptops and smartphones for incoming first-year law students. - Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, students will be prohibited from using electronic devices during classes. - The policy aims to develop “AI-resilient pedagogy” and ensure students learn critical, strategic, and independent thinking without relying on artificial intelligence. - Examinations will also be conducted in-class without access to the internet, electronic files, or apps. - This initiative comes as the legal sector is identified as highly susceptible to AI automation, with a UK firm recently winning a case using an AI lawyer.