Michel was found guilty on all 10 counts he was charged with, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. His trial involved high-profile testimonies and marked the first time generative AI was used in closing statements. The case raises questions about the role of AI in the legal profession, with experts warning that while AI can assist in legal research, it should be carefully fact-checked before use in court.
Key takeaways:
- Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a Fugees rapper, argued that his defense attorney's use of an "experimental" generative AI program to write his closing arguments was a mistake and contributed to his conviction in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy case.
- The company behind the AI program, EyeLevel.AI, defended its use, stating that it was designed to assist in writing closing statements and could revolutionize the legal field by making it faster and cheaper to get complex answers to legal questions and research.
- Generative AI programs are raising questions about misinformation and copyright protections, and there are calls for regulations in Congress. These programs have already had ripple effects across professions like writing and education.
- Michel's case could be a preview of issues to come as the technology advances. The American Bar Association does not yet have any guidelines on the use of AI in the legal profession, but a new task force is studying the issue.