World’s First Robot Lawyer Makes History Defending Client in Court
The world’s first “robot lawyer” will present a legal argument in court in a ground-breaking move. The artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, created by the startup DoNotPay, will help a defendant contest a speeding ticket by giving instructions over headphones. The hearing for this case will take place in a location that will consider the headphones a “hearing aid,” allowing the use of the AI despite the fact that cell phones and headphones are typically not permitted in courtrooms.
DoNotPay is a startup that was founded in 2015 with the goal of helping consumers avoid paying late fees and fines through the use of a chatbot. In recent years, the company has made the switch to utilizing AI in its services, taking advantage of advancements in technology, particularly OpenAI’s GPT-3.
The AI chatbot developed by DoNotPay has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the past, successfully saving a customer from paying a $16 bank fee. In total, the company claims to have helped with 3 million cases in the US and UK. This track record of success makes the upcoming courtroom case all the more significant, as it marks the first time an AI will represent a client in a legal setting.
The use of AI in the legal field is a relatively new and untested concept, and the outcome of this case will be closely watched by those interested in the potential applications of AI in the legal profession. If the AI is successful in winning the case for the defendant, it could pave the way for further use of AI in legal proceedings and potentially disrupt the traditional roles of lawyers and judges.
In October 2022, an artificial intelligence made history by becoming the first AI to testify in the House of Lords, the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The AI, named Ai-Da, was invited to speak on the topic of the impact of AI on the art world. Ai-Da provided insights on how copyright laws and creative commons licenses should be approached in an era where AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in art contests.
Ai-Da’s testimony marked a significant moment in the integration of AI into various sectors, including the legal field. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see more instances of AI being used in legal settings, whether it be as a witness, a lawyer, or even a judge.
The use of Ai-Da in the House of Lords also raises questions about the role of AI in society and its potential to shape public policy. As AI becomes more prevalent in various industries and decision-making processes, it will be important to consider the ethical implications and potential biases that may arise.
These recent developments demonstrate how quickly AI is being incorporated into the legal system in a number of capacities. The use of AI in the legal industry is probably just getting started. It will be interesting to see how AI technology is applied in upcoming legal cases and proceedings, even though the use of the “robot lawyer” in this precedent-setting case is noteworthy.
