Chief Justice of the Supreme Court cautions about AI hazards following an incident involving former Trump fixer
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recently addressed the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal system in a year-end report. He acknowledged the growing role of AI in legal practice but emphasized that human judgment remains essential in legal determinations due to the nuanced nature of legal issues. While he anticipates AI to significantly impact judicial work, particularly in legal research, Roberts underscored the importance of maintaining human involvement to ensure accurate and just outcomes.
Roberts highlighted the potential benefits of AI in enhancing access to legal resources, particularly for those with limited means. However, he also cautioned against the risks associated with AI, including privacy concerns and the potential dehumanization of the law. He pointed out that AI tools, while providing valuable information, can also generate false or misleading data, as evidenced by instances where AI-generated citations turned out to be nonexistent court cases.
The former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, admitted to relying on AI for legal research, resulting in the inclusion of non-existent court cases in his work. Roberts emphasized the importance of exercising caution and skepticism when utilizing AI tools, urging legal professionals to verify AI-generated information independently. In response to the challenges posed by AI reliance, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals has proposed a rule requiring lawyers to certify the source of their briefs and ensure human oversight of any text generated by AI chatbots.
