Use of Artificial Intelligence Could Jeopardize Lawyer Training and Client Rights
A federal judge warned that the increasing use of artificial intelligence by law firms could harm clients and hinder the development of junior attorneys.
Presiding over a copyright lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court, Judge Arun Subramanian avoided sanctioning lawyers over AI-driven citation errors while highlighting the risks of artificial intelligence in the legal sector.
Risks of Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Sector
A federal judge stated that law firms' increasing reliance on artificial intelligence poses risks for clients and can negatively impact the training process of junior attorneys. Judge Arun Subramanian emphasized that legal work generated by artificial intelligence must be scrutinized very carefully for accuracy.
Client Demands and Cost Balance
Stating that clients might demand the use of artificial intelligence to reduce costs, Subramanian noted that there is a risk of facing adverse outcomes when things go wrong. The judge pointed out that the potential consequences should be carefully evaluated before lawyers are pressured into using artificial intelligence.
Errors in the Copyright Lawsuit
Questioning whether unchecked artificial intelligence usage led to citation errors in a copyright infringement case he is overseeing, Subramanian decided not to sanction the attorneys after receiving defenses. Defense attorney Cynthia Arato stated that the errors occurred during a colleague's drafting process and were contrary to firm policies.
Firm Policies and Measures Taken
While it was disclosed that the firm Shapiro Arato Bach uses artificial intelligence tools from the technology company Harvey, it was stated that what happened during the preparation process of the poorly reviewed document was an isolated, non-malicious error. Judge Subramanian noted that methods must be devised to ensure junior attorneys receive necessary training despite the growing dependence on technology.