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American self-represented litigant unsuccessfully uses AI avatar in litigation
Date: 14 April 2025
Source: Associated Press
Overview
On 26 March 2025, a self-represented litigant in the Appellate division of the First Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the state of New York employed an AI avatar to deliver his oral submissions. The avatar took the appearance of a young man in a button-down shirt and jumper, and said, before being interrupted and scolded by the judges: ‘May it please the court, I come here today as a humble pro se before a panel of five distinguished justices…’
The judges scolded the self-represented litigant for several minutes and implied that this conduct may be apt to mislead the court.
This incident underscores a critical juncture for legal professionals, particularly in Australia, as they grapple with the implications of AI in legal proceedings. As AI technology continues to evolve, legal practitioners must consider several pressing questions:
- Future Courtroom Dynamics: How will courts adapt to AI-generated materials as technology advances, potentially achieving human-like indistinguishability? Legal professionals must anticipate and prepare for…