Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has released responses from two federal judges and the Administrative Office of the Courts acknowledging the improper use of generative artificial intelligence in drafting inaccurate court orders. Previously, U.S. District Judges Henry Wingate of Mississippi and Julien Xavier Neals of New Jersey admitted that their staff had used AI-generated material that misquoted state law, cited nonexistent individuals, and fabricated quotes attributed to defendants. Grassley says, “I commend Judges Wingate and Neals for acknowledging their mistakes, and I’m glad to hear they’re working to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Each federal judge, and the judiciary as an institution, has an obligation to ensure the use of generative AI does not violate litigants’ rights or prevent fair treatment under the law.” In response to Grassley’s inquiry, both judges have implemented stricter review procedures and banned the use of AI in drafting orders. The Administrative Office of the Courts notified Grassley that it has created an AI Task Force, which was created to guide the use of AI in judicial offices. Grassley says the technology has great potential but must be constantly scrutinized for accuracy and hidden biases.
Grassley Investigation Into Judicial AI Use Sparks Overhauls
