Student Handbook
college of law generative ai policy
Adopted on March 27, 2024 by a faculty vote of 16 yes, 0 no.
Generative AI is software, for example, ChatGPT, that can perform advanced processing of text at skill levels that at least appear similar to a human’s. Generative AI software is quickly being adopted in legal practice, and many internet services and ordinary programs will soon include generative AI software. At the same time, generative AI presents risks to our shared pedagogical mission. For this reason, we adopt the following default rule, which enables some uses of generative AI but also bans uses of generative AI that would be plagiaristic if generative AI’s output had been composed by a human author.
The class of generative AI software:
- Never may be employed for a use that would constitute plagiarism if the generative AI source were a human or organizational author. For a discussion of plagiarism, see University of Toledo College of Law Student Professional Conduct Handbook, Part I. B. 1. c).
- May be used to perform research in ways similar to search engines such as Google, for correction of grammar, and for other functions attendant to completing an assignment. The software may not be used to compose any part of the submitted assignment.
- May not be used for any purpose in any exam situation.
Instructors have the discretion to deviate from the default rule, provided that they do so in writing and with appropriate notice.