UP notes decline in quality of reasoning, argumentation
MANILA — The College of Law of the University of the Philippines released guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its Juris Doctor program.
The college said the policy was born out of its observation of the effect of regular AI use on its students.
"We have noted a considerable decline in the quality of reasoning and argumentation coinciding with the regular use of AI by students for case briefing, answering simple queries during class, and research," it said.
"Employer feedback has returned similar observations on our newest graduates, which confirm our fears that many of our students have not just become AI-literate but AI-dependent," it added.
Although it acknowledged the pervasiveness of AI technology and its responsibility to prepare its students for its ethical use, the college said AI tools should only be used to supplement strong analytical skills.
"Moreover, we are gravely concerned that their use by lawyers without a strong grasp of legal fundamentals risks not only malpractice but the dehumanization and misapplication of law and its divorce from the social condition," it said.
According to the college, it should prepare its students to master skills that technology cannot replace, such as deriving legal arguments from language and social context, finding or creating law in or from its interstices, and transposing these to actual cases and situations in the " persuasive, ethical, and humane manner that underlies the law’s legitimacy."
"While generative AI often panders to its users, we aim to train leaders who can accept criticism and professionals with a healthy sense of distrust. Whereas the task-oriented logic of generative AI presents immediate responses for any prompt, we envision students who can be comfortable in uncertainty and patient with the arduousness and rigors of serious inquiry," it said.
In order to develop an "AI-resilient" education and assessment, the UP College of Law said that starting academic year 2026-2027, it will implement the following at the first-year level of the Juris Doctor program:
First-year core subjects, including those traditionally tested in the Philippine Bar Exam, shall be taught offline.
This means that instruction for core subjects will return fully onsite. The use of digital and electronic devices shall also be prohibited for any purpose including notetaking, except when allowed by the instructor. Major assessments for core subjects shall also be administered individually, and conducted offline and onsite.
For writing assignments, relying on generative AI for any part of the research and writing process, including editing and grammar checks, and using research or law databases that are principally reliant on AI, is prohibited.
Faculty, however, may introduce AI-based research technologies and tools to their classes, but would have to actively supervise students, and require them to submit detailed disclosures explaining the scope and extent of their use of the specified technology or software.
For core subjects, mere possession within one's person of digital or electronic devices in onsite courses for assessments shall be considered an offense against academic integrity.
An erring student shall be subject to formal disciplinary action.
The college said it will closely monitor compliance to the policy and its immediate effects, with a view to ensuring integration with an equivalent policy for higher-year subjects.
'Writing is thinking': do students who use ChatGPT learn less?
When rogue AI launches a cyberattack, who is legally responsible?