This is the first time in the history of the legal profession that an AI lawyer has represented a client in court to contest a parking ticket.
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming an important part of our lives. From facial recognition algorithms to natural language processing, AI is used in a wide range of applications. Today, AI is used to defend a case in court. This raises the question: is this a step towards an automated justice system?
AI as a lawyer has proven itself before
Called DoNotPayThe AI lawyer has already defended plaintiffs who launched a lawsuit against an airline. The passengers took the airline to court over a faulty WiFi connection. In another court case, DoNotPay also helped a person reduce bills and contest parking tickets.
Developed by the company of the same name, theAI operates via a smartphone. The lawyer who uses it starts recording the court’s words on the application. Then, the the application generates an appropriate response in real time via an earpiece. The defendant can then take back the information and present it to the judge.
Joshua Browder, CEO of DoNotPay, said his tool has already settled numerous disputes defending individuals against organizations. “Over the past year, AI technology has really developed and allowed us to exchange in real time with companies and governments,” he told CBS MoneyWatch about recent advances. The CEO also stated that DoNotPay will cover fines if the entities using its tool lose the case.
Is AI allowed in legal proceedings?
The answer depends on the court in question. Most judicial courts do not allow the use of smartphones during proceedings. However, some allow defendants to wear hearing aids. such as wireless headphones. This is how Browder determined that DoNotPay’s technology could be used legally.
DoNotPay has already studied over 300 cases in court. Only two institutions have accepted the use of the application.
Yet, according to Browder, the use of his tool is completely in line with the legislation in force in the courts. “It’s within the letter of the law, but I don’t think anyone could have ever imagined this would happen,” said Browder.
“It’s not in the spirit of the law, but we’re trying to move things forward in the legal arena. If these cases succeed, it encourages other courts to change their rules,” added the CEO.