UL conference to discuss challenges to judiciary posed by AI

One example is the ruling in an appeal taken by Gemma O’Doherty against the High Court’s refusal to strike out defamation proceedings brought against her by Jimmy Guerin which raised concerns about the use of AI in submissions to the court

It comes as the use of AI in courts has emerged in recent months, including that of Gemma O'Doherty (pictured) where the High Court ruled she had used AI to prepare her written submissions that included 'hallucinations' of non-existent cases. File photo: Julien Behal/PA

The challenges of judging in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) will be discussed during a conference in Limerick on Friday as a new judicial studies network is launched.

The Irish Judicial Studies Network, led by the University of Limerick’s (UL) Professor Laura Cahillane, is aimed at “fostering interdisciplinary engagement between scholars, practitioners, and members of the judiciary”.

The network’s inaugural conference at UL on Friday will bring together judges, legal scholars and researchers to discuss and explore issues currently shaping judicial systems and legal decision-making, according to UL.

The event is being held as part of UL’s School of Law's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The conclusion of the conference will feature a conversation between Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell, Professor Gabrielle Appleby, University of New South Wales, and Professor Ross Cranston, London School of Economics.

During the first discussion of the conference, speakers will talk about the challenges of AI in courtrooms.

It comes as the Courts Service is currently undertaking a proof of concept around the use of AI for translation and interpretation in courts across the country, in a bid to save money and speed up court hearings.

It comes as the use of AI in courts has emerged in recent months, including in court cases.

For example, earlier this year, a ruling in an appeal taken by Gemma O’Doherty against the High Court’s refusal to strike out defamation proceedings brought against her by Jimmy Guerin raised concerns about the use of AI in submissions to the court.

In the ruling, the three-judge court said O’Doherty had used AI to prepare her written submissions that included “hallucinations” of non-existent cases.

A hallucination is where an AI system produces false information but presents it with certainty as fact.

Last month, a practice direction was issued by the president of the High Court, Mr Justice David Barniville, advising that “deep fake” material must never be presented in court by lawyers or people representing themselves in civil proceedings.