In a move that has sparked significant controversy, the State Bar of California has admitted to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of some of its bar exam questions. This revelation has drawn widespread criticism and concern from various stakeholders in the legal community.
The admission came after numerous candidates reported technical issues and irregularities during the February bar exam, as detailed in a Los Angeles Times article. The State Bar’s decision to incorporate AI into the exam process was made public through a news release, revealing that AI-assisted questions were crafted by ACS Ventures, the Bar’s independent psychometrician.
Mary Basick, assistant dean of academic skills at UC Irvine Law School, expressed her disbelief, stating, “Having the questions drafted by non-lawyers using artificial intelligence is just unbelievable.” This sentiment was echoed by Katie Moran, an associate professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, who criticized the potential conflict of interest, as the same psychometricians responsible for developing the AI questions were also tasked with validating them.
The State Bar’s executive director, Leah Wilson, defended the integrity of the AI-developed questions, asserting confidence in their ability to assess legal competence fairly. However, the controversy continues to unfold as critics call for greater transparency and accountability.
For further details, refer to the original article by Jenny Jarvie in the Los Angeles Times.
