A New York lawyer, Steven Schwartz, has filed a court brief that is full of phony legal precedents created by a chatbot model called ChatGPT. Schwartz is facing consequences for the bogus brief and has appealed to the US District Judge P. Kevin Castel for leniency. He claims that he never meant to deceive anyone and that he had no idea that ChatGPT could generate fake citations and court rulings.
During the hearing, Schwartz stated that he should have investigated the cases cited in the brief, especially once their authenticity had been questioned. Schwartz’s law firm has been subjected to public mockery in the press coverage of the case, which he described as deeply embarrassing. Thomas Corvino, the sole shareholder of the firm, has proclaimed himself mortified.
Generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT promise to revolutionize many white-collar professions by changing how law firms, financial institutions, and other industries function. However, the technology also comes with risks, such as over-reliance on it.
Schwartz confessed to using the technology to fabricate six cases cited in a brief filed in a case against Avianca Airlines. As a result, he faces punishment for the bogus brief.
The case raises issues about the reliability of generative AI and its possible influence on industries that depend on it. The legal profession, in particular, is facing a paradigm shift due to the advent of AI. In the coming years, we may see a radical transformation in the practice of law and how legal professionals use technology to assist them in their work.
As generative AI technologies continue to evolve, it is important to consider their benefits and drawbacks carefully. Users should be cautious about relying too heavily on AI-generated content without verifying its authenticity. While the technology is evolving rapidly, we still need to exercise caution and remain vigilant to avoid similar incidents like the one involving Schwartz.
