U.S. Court Chief Justice Roberts Calls for Caution on AI

• In a year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts shares his thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI).
• Roberts acknowledges AI’s potential to enhance access to justice, revolutionize legal research, and streamline case resolution for efficiency.
• He underlines the need for “caution and humility” in embracing AI, citing privacy concerns.

In a year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts shared his thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal field. Emphasizing the transformative potential of AI, Roberts struck a cautious and ambivalent tone, highlighting both the promises and challenges that come with integrating the technology into the realm of justice.

Chief Justice Roberts acknowledged the positive aspects of AI, noting its potential to enhance access to justice for indigent litigants, revolutionize legal research, and streamline case resolution processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

However, he also underscored the need for “caution and humility” in embracing AI, pointing to privacy concerns and the technology’s current limitations in replicating human discretion.

“I predict that human judges will be around for a while,” Roberts stated, expressing confidence in the enduring role of judges in the legal system. Yet, he equally affirmed that AI would significantly impact judicial work, especially at the trial level, signaling a broader shift in how legal professionals approach their responsibilities.

The chief justice’s commentary marks his most substantial discussion to date on the influence of AI on the law. This comes at a time when lower courts are grappling with the challenges of adapting to a technology capable of passing the bar exam.

Roberts drew attention to instances where AI-generated “hallucinations” led lawyers to cite non-existent cases in court papers, emphasizing the need for vigilance. He cited a case where Michael Cohen, former attorney to Donald Trump, inadvertently included fake case citations in court filings, generated by an AI program. Roberts emphasized that such occurrences are “always a bad idea.”