• News
  • Subscribe Now
Home  >  News  > An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it (copy)

An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it (copy)

4/9/2025By Unknown Author|Source: Herald & Review|Read Time: 3 mins|Share

The judge was not impressed with the man's attempt to use AI-generated avatars as his representation in court. The man's unconventional tactic did not sway the judge in his favor. The incident highlights the limitations of relying on technology in legal proceedings. It serves as a reminder that human interaction and reasoning are still crucial in the court of law.

An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it (copy)

Representational image

The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward arrival of artificial intelligence in the legal world unfolded on March 26 under the stained-glass dome of New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department. A panel of judges was set to hear from Jerome Dewald, a plaintiff in an employment dispute.

Artificial Intelligence in the Courtroom

“The appellant has submitted a video for his argument," said Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. “Ok. We will hear that video now.” On the video screen appeared a smiling, youthful-looking man with a sculpted hairdo, button-down shirt, and sweater. “May it please the court,” the man began. "I come here today a humble pro se before a panel of five distinguished justices.”

“Ok, hold on,” Manzanet-Daniels said. “Is that counsel for the case?” “I generated that. That’s not a real person,” Dewald answered. It was, in fact, an avatar generated by artificial intelligence. The judge was not pleased.

“It would have been nice to know that when you made your application. You did not tell me that sir,” Manzanet-Daniels said before yelling across the room for the video to be shut off. “I don't appreciate being misled,” she said before letting Dewald continue with his argument. Dewald later penned an apology to the court, saying he hadn't intended any harm.

Legal Ramifications of AI

Even real lawyers have gotten into trouble when their use of artificial intelligence went awry. In June 2023, two attorneys and a law firm were each fined $5,000 by a federal judge in New York after they used an AI tool to do legal research and wound up citing fictitious legal cases made up by the chatbot.

Later that year, more fictitious court rulings invented by AI were cited in legal papers filed by lawyers for Michael Cohen, a former personal lawyer for President Donald Trump. Cohen took the blame, saying he didn't realize that the Google tool he was using for legal research was also capable of so-called AI hallucinations.

AI in Legal Summaries

Arizona's Supreme Court last month intentionally began using two AI-generated avatars to summarize court rulings for the public. On the court’s website, the avatars — who go by “Daniel” and “Victoria” — say they are there “to share its news.”

Daniel Shin, an adjunct professor and assistant director of research at the Center for Legal and Court Technology at William & Mary Law School, said he wasn't surprised to learn of Dewald’s introduction of a fake person to argue an appeals case in a New York court. He said it was unlikely that a lawyer would do such a thing because of tradition and court rules and because they could be disbarred.

HONESTAI ANALYSIS

Dewald said he tries to keep up with technology, having recently listened to a webinar sponsored by the American Bar Association that discussed the use of AI in the legal world. As for Dewald's case, it was pending before the appeals court as of Thursday.


By entering your email you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy. You will be getting daily AI news in your inbox at 7 am your time to keep you ahead of the curve. Don't worry you can always unsubscribe.