Experiment will explore question of artificial intelligence in a court setting
Lander & Rogers will hold a mock trial pitting human intelligence against artificial intelligence (AI) in a courtroom setting at SXSW Sydney, a technology and innovation festival, on 15 October from 3–4pm at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Collaborative Theatre.
This experimental trial, which will focus on a simple legal matter that is meant to be relatable to everybody in the audience, will explore the controversial question of AI in a court setting, said a press release from Lander & Rogers.
The parties in the mock trial will be two randomly selected audience members. A courtroom lawyer – namely, Jeanette Merjane, senior associate and innovation manager at Lander & Rogers – will represent one side and will try to see if she can out-skill technology.
“The legal profession is evolving, and it’s crucial for us to explore how technologies like AI can complement our work,” Merjane said in the firm’s press release. “While AI has made significant strides, there’s still a lot to learn about its capabilities and limitations in a courtroom setting.”
Merjane expressed that she was anticipating the challenge. “This mock trial is a unique opportunity to showcase the strengths and limitations of both human and artificial intelligence in a legal context,” she added in the press release.
The second chosen audience member will represent themself using a legal AI tool named NexLaw, which is unavailable to the general public. Kenneth Leung, technology lawyer and AI expert at Lander & Rogers, will provide support for this side.
Courtney Blackman – head of partnerships and director of the LawTech Hub and AI Clinics within the firm’s iHub innovation function – will host the experimental trial. She expressed excitement at the prospect of witnessing this experiment, which explores the “intersection of AI and the law,” unfold before a live audience.
“This experiment will provide a glimpse into the future of legal practice, namely, can people represent themselves in a courtroom setting with an AI assistant?” Blackman said in the firm’s press release. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the audience to engage with emerging technology and see firsthand whether AI can truly hold its own against a trained and seasoned legal professional.”
David Lindsay, a UTS professor focusing on law and technology, will be the judge presiding over the courtroom at the mock trial.
“As the acting judge, I’m keen to see how AI performs compared to a lawyer,” Lindsay said in the press release. “The SXSW Sydney mock trial will be an engaging and educational experience, a chance to reflect on the future implications of AI in our justice system.”
Those interested can learn more about the event on SXSW Sydney’s website.
