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ChatGPT and Generative AI Legal Research Guide

Judicial Use of Generative AI

ChatGPT-4 Used in a Pakistani Judgment as an Experiment, Courting the Law, April 7, 2023

In a first for the Pakistani legal system, ChatGPT-4, a large language model developed by OpenAI, was used as an experiment in a judgment by a Lahore court. The case involved a man accused of sexual assault, and the court asked ChatGPT-4 to provide information on the legal definition of consent. ChatGPT-4's response was included in the judgment, which ultimately found the man guilty of the crime. The use of ChatGPT-4 in this case has sparked a debate about the role of AI in the legal system. Some argue that AI can be a helpful tool for judges, while others worry that it could lead to bias or errors in decision-making.

Judge Asks ChatGPT to Decide Bail in Murder Trial, New York Post, March 29, 2023

The article describes a landmark decision in which an Indian judge asked ChatGPT to help decide whether to grant bail to a murder suspect. ChatGPT concluded that the presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of the justice system and that the defendant could still be granted bail if the judge determined they were not a danger to the community or a flight risk. The judge ultimately denied bail, but noted that ChatGPT's opinion was "helpful" and that he would "certainly consider" using it in future cases.

Would Humans Trust an A.I. Judge? More Easily Than You Think, Slate, February 28, 2023

The article discusses that one of the main benefits of using AI judges is that they could be more impartial than human judges. AI judges would not be susceptible to the same biases and prejudices that can influence human decision-making. Additionally, AI judges could be more efficient than human judges, as they could process cases much faster. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using AI judges. One concern is that the public may not trust AI judges to make fair and impartial decisions. Additionally, there is a risk that AI judges could be hacked or manipulated, which could lead to wrongful convictions.

Colombian Judge Uses ChatGPT in Ruling, Triggers Debate, The Week, February 3, 2023

A Colombian judge, Juan Manuel Padilla, used ChatGPT, an AI tool, to help him decide a case involving an autistic child and his medical insurance. The judge asked ChatGPT if an autistic minor is exonerated from paying fees for their therapies, and ChatGPT responded "Yes, this is correct." The inclusion of ChatGPT's response in the ruling has triggered a debate about the use of AI in the legal system. Some people believe that AI can be a helpful tool for judges, while others worry that it could lead to bias or errors in decision-making.