In a noteworthy deviation from the current trend, Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law has made a groundbreaking announcement, embracing the use of AI tools in the student application process. According to a report by Reuters, prospective law students are now permitted to leverage AI tools, specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to aid in their application preparation. Interestingly, this move comes at a time when other prominent institutions, like the University of Michigan Law School, have taken the opposite approach, opting to prohibit the use of such AI tools. The varying policies adopted by these universities shed light on the ongoing and significant debate surrounding the role of AI in shaping the landscape of student applications.
Arizona State Law School’s AI application policy
Arizona State’s law school has formulated a clear and specific policy regarding the use of AI tools in student applications. Prospective applicants utilizing AI tools are required to disclose this fact in their submissions and ensure the accuracy of the provided information. This requirement mirrors the school’s existing mandate for applicants who have sought assistance from professional consultants. Dean Stacy Leeds emphasized that while AI tools are permissible, applicants are still expected to communicate their own experiences and lives genuinely.
Educators’ diverse Stance on AI tools in student work
The adoption of AI tools in academic settings has spurred diverse responses from educators. Some, like Ethan Mollick from the Wharton School in Pennsylvania, have adopted a more open approach. Professor Mollick’s policy mandates that students using AI tools must be able to vouch for the accuracy and authenticity of their work, regardless of its composition. Also, they must disclose the use of AI tools to their professors.
Impact and future implementation at Arizona State
The introduction of ChatGPT and similar AI tools has raised concerns among educators that students might misuse these technologies to complete assignments without genuinely engaging with the subject matter. But, Dean Leeds believes that allowing AI-assisted applications can level the playing field for students, regardless of their economic background. It offers opportunities to those who may not afford professional consultants, whose fees can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At present, the official use of ChatGPT at the Arizona State law school is limited to applications. The institution is currently in the process of formulating further regulations governing AI usage within coursework and the classroom. Future plans include providing educational videos to guide prospective students on the acceptable uses and potential pitfalls of AI’s transformative capabilities.
Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s decision to embrace AI tools in student applications marks a distinctive stance amidst the wider debate on AI’s role in academia. As other institutions grapple with tech-assisted submissions, Arizona State seeks to strike a balance, acknowledging the inevitability of AI’s integration while ensuring academic integrity and promoting inclusivity in the application process.
