A Bold and Surprising Move

In a bold move that has left the legal community both perplexed and amused, the State Bar of California recently admitted that some of its February 2025 bar exam questions were crafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

Yes, you read that correctly — AI, the same entity that struggles to distinguish between a cat and a muffin, was entrusted with determining whether you can differentiate between torts and tortellini.

How It Happened

According to the State Bar, 23 out of the 171 scored multiple-choice questions were developed by ACS Ventures, a psychometrician, using AI. These questions were then subjected to content validation panels and subject matter experts before making their way to the exam.

⚖️ Ethical Concerns Arise

Critics have raised concerns about the ethical implications of using AI in such a high-stakes setting. The situation becomes even more eyebrow-raising when considering that the same company responsible for creating the questions also assessed their validity — a classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse.

🧠 Can AI Understand Law?

The controversy has sparked a broader debate about the role of AI in legal assessments. While AI can process vast amounts of data and identify patterns, it lacks the nuanced understanding of legal principles that human experts possess. This raises questions about the fairness and integrity of exams that determine one’s eligibility to practice law.

🛡️ The Need for Transparency and Accountability

Moreover, the incident has highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the use of AI in public institutions. As AI continues to play an increasingly prominent role in various sectors, establishing clear ethical guidelines and oversight mechanisms is crucial to prevent potential misuse and ensure that technology serves the public good.

🚀 Moving Forward

While the idea of AI drafting bar exam questions might seem like a futuristic innovation, the reality is that it introduces a host of legal and ethical challenges.

As we move forward, it’s essential to strike a balance between embracing technological advancements and upholding the standards of fairness and integrity that underpin our legal system.

👩‍⚖️ Need Real Human Legal Help?

If you have AI legal and compliance issues, contact a Galkin Law attorney — and speak with a real human attorney!