A Colombian judge recently made headlines after utilizing the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to expedite a decision regarding a minor. The judge declared that all information provided by ChatGPT had been fact-checked for accuracy. However, the decision raises important questions about the use of AI in the legal profession and whether or not it is authorized by the rules governing the practice of law in specific jurisdictions.
The use of AI in the legal profession is a topic of increasing interest, as the technology has the potential to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve access to justice. However, the use of AI in legal decision-making is not without controversy. While AI tools like ChatGPT can provide valuable insights and analysis, they are not human, and therefore may not be subject to the same ethical and regulatory considerations as human practitioners.
The decision made by the Colombian judge is a case in point. While the use of ChatGPT to expedite a decision involving a minor may have been well-intentioned, it raises important questions about the propriety of using AI in legal decision-making. For example, could the decision be appealed on the basis that it relied on information provided by an AI tool, rather than a human practitioner?
Furthermore, while the judge in question declared that all information provided by ChatGPT had been fact-checked for accuracy, there is still a question of reliability. As one legal expert pointed out, their own experience with ChatGPT has been that it is highly inaccurate when addressing legal issues, even when prompted with accuracy. While AI tools like ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize the legal profession, they may not be quite there yet.
The use of AI in the legal profession is still a relatively new and developing area, and it remains to be seen how it will be regulated in the future. In the meantime, legal practitioners and policymakers will need to grapple with the thorny ethical and regulatory questions raised by the use of AI in legal decision-making. While AI tools like ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize the legal profession, their use should be subject to careful scrutiny and oversight to ensure that they do not undermine the principles of justice and fairness that underpin the legal system.
