AI in the courtroom: Is generative technology the future of legal decisions?

The judicial system is changing more quickly than most people anticipated. The Public Prosecution Service in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is experimenting using generative AI to render decisions in court, particularly in cases involving public sector compensation disputes. The arguments

Ethical Concerns and Bias

Although AI is increasing productivity, detractors raise significant ethical issues. Many legal professionals are concerned that AI systems may be biassed, particularly when examining private information. Privacy expert Lucas Barreiro warns that improper use of personal data may have serious legal ramifications. In a nation like Argentina, where the digital literacy required to use such tools is still growing, this is especially problematic. Furthermore, there is limited time for adequate oversight due to the quick development of AI technology.

The Risk of “Hallucinations”

The dependability of AI is still a concern, especially in complex instances. According to a recent Stanford study, ChatGPT and other AI tools produce inaccurate or unnecessary information roughly 17% of the time. This may result in erroneous decisions that have an effect on the lives of actual people. The dependability of generative AI in the courtroom has been questioned by legal authorities, including U.S. Judge Edgardo Ramos, who cautioned that such technologies are not yet completely reliable in high-stakes trials.

Innovation and Caution in Balance

Although the transition to AI has increased efficiency, there are unavoidable drawbacks as well. For delicate cases, including those involving domestic abuse, the Buenos Aires team is addressing these dangers by utilising older AI systems, such as PROMETEA. These systems are less prone to errors.

This approach further highlights the need to balance cutting-edge innovation with caution when implementing AI in sensitive fields like law.

The facts

 AI Boosts Efficiency

In a report by Rest of World, AI has significantly increased the efficiency of the Public Prosecution Service in Buenos Aires. ChatGPT is being used by the city’s office for contested administrative affairs to examine case trends and create court rulings.

As a result, it now takes only ten minutes instead of an hour to produce a verdict. Legal practitioners can now handle up to 490 cases each month, up from 130 prior to the system’s implementation. According to Juan Corvalán, the project’s deputy attorney general, artificial intelligence has made lawyers more like “editors” than decision-makers.

AI Predicts with High Accuracy

When it comes to projecting legal outcomes, generative AI has demonstrated remarkable achievements. ChatGPT is a useful tool for addressing routine matters because it can predict rulings with 90% accuracy in less than 20 seconds. Such developments are essential for accelerating case settlement and cutting down on citizen wait times in a field that has historically had backlogs.