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An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it

Apr 04, 2025 - financialpost.com
An artificial intelligence-generated avatar attempted to present a legal argument in a New York appeals court, but the judges quickly realized the presenter was not a real person. Jerome Dewald, the plaintiff in an employment dispute, used the AI avatar to deliver his argument, believing it would be more articulate than he could be. The court was displeased with the lack of disclosure about the avatar's use, leading to a stern reprimand from Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. Dewald later apologized, explaining he had no legal representation and intended no harm.

The incident highlights the growing intersection of AI and the legal field, with previous cases of AI misuse by real lawyers resulting in fines for citing fictitious cases. While some courts, like Arizona's Supreme Court, have started using AI avatars for public summaries, the New York case underscores the potential pitfalls and ethical considerations of AI in legal proceedings. Dewald's case remains pending, and the situation raises questions about the future role of AI in courtrooms, especially for individuals representing themselves.

Key takeaways:

  • An AI-generated avatar attempted to present a legal argument in a New York court, but the judges quickly realized it was not a real person.
  • The individual who used the avatar, Jerome Dewald, did not have a lawyer and believed the avatar would present his case more effectively.
  • There have been previous incidents where lawyers faced consequences for using AI tools that provided fictitious legal information.
  • Arizona's Supreme Court has started using AI-generated avatars to summarize court rulings for the public.
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