AI Avatar Sparks Controversy in New York Courtroom

According to Cointelegraph, a New York appeals court recently encountered an unusual situation when Jerome Dewald, a defendant in an employment dispute, attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to present his legal arguments. The incident occurred in late March, during a video livestream of the hearing. Dewald, representing himself, submitted the avatar to articulate his case, marking a notable instance of artificial intelligence tools making their way into legal proceedings. Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels quickly intervened, questioning whether the avatar was serving as legal counsel. Dewald, 74, clarified that he had generated the avatar himself and that it was not a real person. The judge expressed her displeasure, noting that Dewald had previously appeared before the court and had been able to testify verbally. She emphasized her disapproval of being misled and questioned whether Dewald was experiencing any ailment that prevented him from speaking directly. The judge further admonished Dewald, stating that the courtroom was not a platform for launching his business ventures, and instructed him to shut off the video. Dewald later apologized, explaining that he believed the AI avatar would present his arguments more effectively than he could. He had applied to the court for permission to use a prerecorded video and collaborated with a San Francisco tech company to create the avatar. Dewald initially attempted to generate a digital replica of himself but was constrained by time before the hearing. Reflecting on the court's reaction, Dewald acknowledged that the judges were quite upset, admitting, "They chewed me up pretty good." This incident underscores the growing challenges as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the legal sector. In 2023, a New York lawyer faced criticism for citing fictitious cases generated by ChatGPT in a legal brief against a Colombian airline. Similarly, Arizona's Supreme Court began utilizing AI-generated avatars to summarize court rulings for public consumption. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission took action against companies accused of misleading consumers with AI, including a firm offering AI legal services. As AI continues to permeate various industries, its role in the legal world remains a topic of debate and scrutiny.