U.S lawyer admits using AI for case research. This is an amazing story from bbcnews.com. A New York lawyer is facing a court hearing after his firm used AI tool chatGPT for legal research. The court was faced with an unprecedented circumstance after filing was found to reference example legal cases that did not exist. The lawyer who used the tool told the court that he was unaware that its content could be false. It is important to note that AI is not always accurate and can produce inaccurate information.
The original case involved a man suing an airline over an alleged personal injury. His legal team submitted a brief that cited several previous court cases in an attempt to prove using precedent why the case should move forward. However, the airline’s lawyers later wrote to the judge to say they could not find several of the cases that were referenced in the brief.
Six of the submitted cases appear to be bogus judicial decisions with bogus quotes and bogus Eternal citations. It was later revealed that the research had not been prepared by the lawyer for the plaintiff but by a colleague of his at the same Law Firm. The colleague, who had been an attorney for more than 30 years, used chatGPT to look for similar previous cases.
This incident highlights the potential risks of using AI in legal research. While AI can be a powerful tool, it is crucial to have a team that can validate and verify the accuracy of the research. Screenshots attached to the filing show a conversation between the attorney and chatGPT, where the AI claims that certain cases are real. Both lawyers have been ordered to explain why they should not be disciplined.
Millions of people have used chatGPT since its launch in November 2022. While it can answer questions in natural language and mimic other writing styles, it is important to double-check the information obtained from AI tools. There have been concerns over the potential spread of misinformation and bias through artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, the use of AI in legal research has the potential to revolutionize the field. However, it is essential to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of the information provided by AI tools. The legal profession must adapt to the changing landscape of technology while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the research conducted.
