AI Collaborates on Law Journal’s Biodiversity Articles, Inspiring New Standards for Scholarly Integrity

AI's Emerging Role in Legal Scholarship: Insights from the Texas A&M Journal of Property Law

The Texas A&M Journal of Property Law recently published four articles addressing biodiversity loss, distinguished by their use of artificial intelligence in the drafting process. This marks a notable instance where AI tools have directly contributed to legal academic work.

Each article includes a footnote clarifying that parts were "drafted and/or revised" with assistance from ChatGPT and Anthropic’s language model Claude. Importantly, a research team reviewed and verified all content to maintain accuracy and integrity.

Introducing a Standard for AI Transparency in Legal Writing

The volume’s editor-in-chief, Spencer Nayar, along with managing editor Michael Cooper, introduced a five-level standard to communicate AI’s role in scholarly work. This framework ranges from Level 1, indicating no AI use, to Level 5, where AI handles the bulk of research and drafting with only minor human edits.

For example, a suitable footnote might read: “The author used artificial intelligence in the researching and investigation of this topic. [AI Assistance Level 2].” This system aims to bring clarity and consistency to how AI contributions are disclosed in legal publications.

Challenges and Responsibilities for Editors

Nayar and Cooper emphasize that editors cannot rely solely on footnotes or source lists when reviewing AI-assisted prose. They must verify the specific language that supports legal propositions and rigorously check for plagiarism.

Though AI-generated content can present reliability concerns, the editors believe these issues are temporary. They note that AI models continue to improve, and “AI is the worst it will ever be right now.” This suggests a future where AI assistance becomes increasingly dependable for legal scholarship.

AI’s Potential to Refocus Legal Research Efforts

Legal scholars can benefit from AI by reducing time spent on routine research tasks. This shift allows them to concentrate on connecting diverse legal concepts, advocating for change, and leveraging AI’s ability to synthesize extensive information.

About the Authors

The four articles were authored by Andrew W. Torrance, a law professor at the University of Kansas, and Bill Tomlinson, an informatics professor at the University of California, Irvine. They previously collaborated on an article published in the SMU Law Review Forum that outlined best practices for writing with AI. That prior work also included a footnote detailing AI’s role in the writing process.

For legal professionals and writers interested in AI-assisted drafting and research, understanding this emerging standard and editorial approach is essential. It offers a practical framework for responsibly integrating AI into scholarly work while maintaining rigor and transparency.