Michael Cohen, a former lawyer for Donald Trump and a witness in Trump's upcoming criminal trials, has admitted to relying on the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Google Bard for legal citations. Cohen confessed to sending Google Bard-generated legal citations to his lawyer, David Schwartz, as part of his case support. However, Cohen argues that, not being an active legal professional, he lacks understanding of the risks associated with using AI services for legal research and should not be held ethically responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information.
Key Points:
AI Chatbot Usage: Michael Cohen admitted to using Google Bard, an AI chatbot, to generate legal citations that were then provided to his lawyer as part of his case support.
Attorney's Responsibility: Cohen emphasized that, as a non-practicing attorney, he lacks a full understanding of the risks associated with AI services for legal research. He argues that his attorney, David Schwartz, should have conducted a thorough review before including the AI-generated citations in official court documents.
Ethical Obligations: The court filing suggests that Cohen does not have an ethical obligation to verify the accuracy of his AI-generated legal research. The statement points out that Cohen believed the citations to be real and did not have the professional responsibility to ensure their accuracy.
Similar Incidents: This is not the first instance of legal professionals facing criticism for relying on AI-generated information. Earlier this year, Steven Schwartz, an attorney with Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, was criticized for using AI and submitting inaccurate court citations.
Implications and Outlook: The admission by Michael Cohen raises questions about the reliance on AI chatbots for legal research and the ethical responsibilities of non-practicing attorneys in using such technology. As AI becomes more prevalent in various industries, including law, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information generated by these systems becomes a critical consideration.
Conclusion: Michael Cohen's acknowledgment of relying on Google Bard for legal citations highlights the evolving landscape of AI's impact on legal practices. The incident underscores the importance of legal professionals, whether active or not, exercising due diligence in verifying the accuracy of AI-generated information before incorporating it into official court documents. As AI technologies continue to advance, the legal community will likely grapple with defining ethical standards and responsibilities associated with their use in legal research and case support.
(CIARAN LYONS, COINTELEGRAPH, 2023)