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A defendant tried to use an AI avatar in a legal appeal. It didn't work

Apr 07, 2025 - cointelegraph.com
In a recent New York appeals court case, Jerome Dewald attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to represent himself in an employment dispute, leading to a stern rebuke from Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. Dewald, who created the avatar to present his legal arguments via video, was quickly stopped by the judge, who expressed displeasure at being misled and emphasized that the courtroom should not be used as a platform for business ventures. Dewald later apologized, explaining that he believed the AI avatar would articulate his arguments more effectively than he could.

This incident underscores the growing challenges and controversies surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in the legal field. The integration of AI tools in courtrooms is becoming more common, as seen in other instances like the Arizona Supreme Court's use of AI avatars to summarize rulings and the US Federal Trade Commission's actions against companies misleading consumers with AI. These developments highlight the need for clear guidelines and ethical considerations as AI technology continues to permeate the legal industry.

Key takeaways:

  • A defendant in a New York appeals court used an AI-generated avatar to represent himself, which was met with disapproval from the judge.
  • The judge was displeased with the use of the AI avatar, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the defendant's ability to testify verbally.
  • The incident underscores the challenges and controversies surrounding the integration of AI into the legal system.
  • There have been other instances of AI being used in legal contexts, such as AI-generated avatars summarizing court rulings and legal briefs citing fake cases generated by AI.
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