AI: why installing 'robot judges' in courtrooms is a really bad idea, Yahoo! News, July 10, 2023
The article discusses the potential implementation of AI-based "robot judges" in legal systems. These AI judges would use algorithms to make decisions, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and human rights. Critics argue that AI judges could exacerbate biases and undermine the right to a fair trial, while proponents believe they could expedite justice and reduce costs. Concerns about accountability and the inability of AI to fully understand human emotions and contexts remain significant hurdles in deploying such technology.
'Robot Lawyer' Wants Ill. Law Firm's Class Action Tossed, Law360, May 17, 2023
DoNotPay, the online legal service provider known as the "world's first robot lawyer," has requested a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit brought by MillerKing LLC, an Illinois law firm. The suit accused DoNotPay of offering unlicensed legal services and creating a false impression of being connected to licensed attorneys. In response, DoNotPay argued that MillerKing had no standing to bring the suit, as it failed to demonstrate any tangible business injury caused by DoNotPay. The company contended that the complaint lacked well-pled allegations of harm to MillerKing's revenue, reputation, or goodwill. DoNotPay has faced legal challenges in recent months, with similar allegations of unauthorized practice of law and fraud. The company maintains that MillerKing's complaint does not establish a meaningful connection between the two entities and lacks evidence of imminent harm.
Robot Lawyers Are About to Flood the Courts, Wired, April 13, 2023
The legal industry is grappling with the rise of chatbots and generative AI, which can create convincing legal documents and advice. State and local courts face challenges as debt collection agencies flood them with low-quality cases, exploiting defaults for wage garnishments. While AI could potentially help individuals without access to lawyers, it also risks enabling predatory practices. The overload of court cases is a significant concern, with courts incentivized to maintain a system that hurts defendants due to their inability to handle an alternative. The article suggests that courts should incorporate design friction, embrace data, reform service, and establish user protection in response to this AI-driven legal landscape.
Why Legal Services Chatbot DoNotPay Is Abandoning Its Idea Of Putting A Robot In Court, Fast Company, January 26, 2023
DoNotPay, a chatbot that helps people with legal tasks, announced in January 2023 that it would be putting a robot in court to represent a client in a case against a parking company. However, the company has since abandoned this plan, citing concerns about the legal and ethical implications of using AI in the courtroom.
Bar Associations Threaten Pro-Se Litigant, Aided by AI, with UPL Suits, Reason, 1.26.2023
The article explains that Joshua Browder, CEO of DoNotPay, was planning to help a person challenge a speeding ticket in court using a system powered by AI text generators. However, several state bar associations threatened Browder with UPL (unauthorized practice of law) suits, and he was forced to cancel his plans. Browder believes that bar associations are trying to stifle competition from legal tech firms.
A Bad Week for DoNotPay and Its Robot Lawyer, But It Should Not Reflect on Self-Help Legal Tech, LawSites, January 26, 2023
The article describes how DoNotPay, a self-help legal site, made headlines last week when it announced that its robot lawyer would be appearing in court. The stunt was quickly called off, however, after bar officials threatened Joshua Browder, the site's founder and CEO, with prosecution and imprisonment. While the incident has cast a shadow over DoNotPay, it should not reflect on the potential of self-help legal tech. These tools can be a valuable resource for people who cannot afford or do not have access to traditional legal representation.
DoNotPay's 'Robot Lawyer' Is Gearing Up for Its First U.S. Court Case, gizmodo.com, January 7, 2023
DoNotPay, a legal self-help company, is planning to have its AI-powered assistant appear in court for the first time. The company claims that the assistant, which is powered by the ChatGPT language model, can help people contest speeding tickets and other minor offenses. DoNotPay's founder and CEO, Joshua Browder, says that the company has already helped people contest over 160,000 parking tickets in New York and London. He believes that the AI-powered assistant can help even more people, especially those who cannot afford a lawyer. However, some legal experts have raised concerns about the use of AI in the courtroom.