According to Reuters, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University recently announced that it would permit prospective students to utilize AI tools, specifically OpenAI's ChatGPT, to assist in preparing their applications. This decision comes following the University of Michigan Law School's recent ban on the use of such AI tools, highlighting the varying policies adopted by different universities regarding AI's role in student applications. Arizona State's law school states that applicants who employ AI tools must disclose this fact and ensure the accuracy of the information they submit. This aligns with the school's existing requirement for applicants to disclose if they have used a professional consultant during the application process. Stacy Leeds, the dean of the law school, stated that this new policy recognizes the growing use of AI tools among lawyers and law students. However, she emphasized that students cannot employ AI to produce false information, as they still need to "reflect their own experiences. " OpenAI's ChatGPT, released in November, is an AI assistant that is capable of analyzing and composing text in various styles, based on user requests. Its release, along with similar tools from other vendors, has prompted concerns among educators about students relying on AI to complete assignments without truly understanding the material.

Some university professors, like Ethan Mollick of Wharton School in Pennsylvania, have taken a more open approach by acknowledging the inevitability of students utilizing tools like ChatGPT. Mollick's policy requires students to vouch for the accuracy of their work regardless of how it was composed and disclose their use of AI tools to the professor. Leeds believes that generative AI, accessible to all applicants regardless of their economic background, can level the playing field for those who cannot afford professional consultants that may charge exorbitant fees. Despite the new policy, Reuters reports that the sanctioned use of ChatGPT at the Arizona State law school is currently limited to applications only. The school is still in the process of developing regulations for AI usage within coursework and the classroom. In the future, ASU plans to provide educational videos to guide prospective students on the acceptable uses and potential risks associated with AI.