England’s legal system, known for its longstanding traditions, is cautiously embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to assist judges in producing rulings. The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary recently granted permission for judges to use AI to write opinions, acknowledging the potential benefits while urging caution regarding the use of AI for research or legal analyses due to concerns of fabricated, misleading, inaccurate, and biased information.
Despite the ongoing debate on the regulation of AI, this move by the judiciary is seen as a proactive step in an industry that has been slow to adopt technological changes. While scholars and legal experts speculate on the possibility of AI replacing lawyers, selecting jurors, or even deciding cases, the guidance provided by England and Wales shows a restrained approach, prioritizing the continued involvement of human judges.
The decision has been applauded by legal experts who recognize the importance of addressing the latest advancements in AI. Although other countries and international organizations have previously issued guidelines on the use of AI in court systems, England and Wales now find themselves at the forefront of this ongoing discussion.
While the guidance demonstrates acceptance of AI, it also emphasizes the limitations of the technology. Specifically, it warns against the use of chatbots, citing the infamous case of New York lawyers relying on ChatGPT to write a legal brief that included fictional cases. Judges are advised not to disclose private or confidential information to public AI chatbots, as anything inputted can be considered publicly available.
In addition, judges are cautioned about the reliance on AI for legal material, as much of it comes from the internet and is often based on U.S. law. AI can be used as a secondary tool to assist judges in writing background material or summarizing information they are already familiar with. However, it should not be used to find new information that cannot be independently verified, and it is not yet capable of providing comprehensive analysis or reasoning.
Overall, England’s approval of AI in its legal system showcases a willingness to integrate technology while maintaining confidence in the human judgment necessary in the judicial process.
The source of the article is from the blog maltemoney.com.br