AI Avatar's Court Appearance Sparks Controversy and Judicial Rebuke
15 Sources
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Judge berates AI entrepreneur for using a generated 'lawyer' in court
Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews. A man's recent attempt to use an AI-generated avatar in his legal appeal made an immediate impression on a New York courtroom,
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Judge slams AI entrepreneur for having avatar testify
We hear from court-scolded Jerome Dewald, who insists lawyer-bots have a future Interview The founder of an AI startup who attempted to use an artificially generated avatar to argue his case in court has been scolded by a judge for the stunt. The avatar - its appearance and voice created by
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An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it
NEW YORK (AP) -- It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen -- a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit -- not only had no law degree, but didn't exist at all. The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward
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Pro Tip: Don't Send Your AI Avatar to Testify for You in Court
Generally speaking, it is not considered a good idea to represent yourself in court. But there is another, potentially worse route: you can say that you are going to represent yourself, then pass the task on to an AI avatar in order to show off the capabilities of your startup. That appears to be
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'They chewed me up pretty good': A US plaintiff attempted to use an AI avatar to argue their court case and the judges were far from amused
AI has many uses -- or at least that's what we keep being told -- but one area where it might do some good is helping with the notoriously complex legal process. After all, should you find yourself faced with the task of self-representation in an upcoming court case, perhaps an AI may be able to
[6]
An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it
It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen -- a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit -- not only had no law degree, but didn't exist at all. The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward arrival of artificial
[7]
Man employs AI avatar in legal appeal, and judge isn't amused
Jerome Dewald sat with his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap in front of an appellate panel of New York state judges, ready to argue for a reversal of a lower court's decision in his dispute with a former employer. The court had allowed Dewald, who is not a lawyer and was representing
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A defendant tried to use an AI avatar in a legal appeal. It didn't work
"I don't appreciate being misled," said a New York judge after seeing an AI avatar used to represent a defendant. A defendant in a New York appeals court has been slammed by a judge for using an artificial intelligence avatar to represent himself in a recent case. A New York appeals court faced
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Man attempts to use AI avatar in court, is immediately 'chewed out' by judges
TL;DR: In a New York court, 74-year-old Jerome Dewald attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to represent himself in a legal dispute. The judge quickly dismissed the footage, expressing displeasure. Dewald's case highlights concerns over inappropriate AI use in legal settings, echoing past
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An AI Avatar Tried to Argue a Case Before a New York Court. the Judges Weren't Having It
This screenshot from a video labeled as a March 26, 2025 live stream video on the YouTube channel of the Appellate division of the First Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the state of New York, shows an artificial intelligence-generated avatar, bottom right, addressing the justices on a
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A 74-Year-Old Needed a Lawyer, So He Used an AI Avatar in Court. It Didn't Go Well.
A judge listening to the case shut down the video within seconds. A New York courtroom came face-to-face with artificial intelligence last month when a plaintiff attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to present a case. Jerome Dewald, a 74-year-old plaintiff in an employment case, submitted an
[12]
An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it
NEW YORK (AP) -- It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen -- a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit -- not only had no law degree, but didn't exist at all. The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward
[13]
New York Judges Nix Man's Attempt To Let AI Avatar Argue His Case
NEW YORK (AP) -- It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen -- a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit -- not only had no law degree, but didn't exist at all. The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward
[14]
"That's not a real person": NY judges shut down AI avatar in courtroom twist
In a New York appeals court, Jerome Dewald used an AI-generated avatar to present his argument in an employment dispute, sparking confusion and frustration among judges. The incident highlights the increasing use of AI in the legal system, raising questions about transparency and the risks of
[15]
AI avatar tried to argue a case before New York court -- but judges...
It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen -- a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit -- not only had no law degree, but didn't exist at all. The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward arrival of artificial
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An AI entrepreneur's attempt to use an AI-generated avatar for legal representation in a New York court backfires, raising questions about the role of AI in legal proceedings and the boundaries of courtroom technology.
AI Avatar's Courtroom Debut Meets Judicial Disapproval
In a recent New York court hearing, an unexpected attempt to use artificial intelligence in legal proceedings sparked controversy and drew sharp criticism from the presiding judge. Jerome Dewald, a 74-year-old AI entrepreneur, tried to present his case in an employment dispute using an AI-generated avatar, only to face immediate rebuke from Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels
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.The Controversial Presentation
Dewald, who operates a startup called Pro Se Pro aimed at helping unrepresented litigants navigate the US legal system, had received permission to submit a video for his case. However, he failed to inform the court that the video would feature an artificially generated speaker
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.The AI avatar, described as a "big, beautiful hunk of a guy" named Jim, was one of the stock options provided by an AI avatar company called Tavus. As the video began playing, Justice Manzanet-Daniels quickly interrupted, asking, "Is that counsel for the case?"
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Judicial Reaction and Reprimand
Upon learning that the speaker was AI-generated, Justice Manzanet-Daniels expressed her displeasure: "It would have been nice to know that when you made your application. You did not tell me that, sir. I don't appreciate being misled." She further admonished Dewald, stating, "You are not going to use this courtroom as a launch for your business."
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Dewald's Explanation and Apology
Dewald later explained that he had intended to use an AI-generated replica of himself due to difficulties with extended speaking stemming from a bout with throat cancer 25 years ago. However, technical issues led him to use a stock avatar instead
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.In an interview following the incident, Dewald admitted, "The court was really upset about it. They chewed me up pretty good." He has since penned an apology to the court, stating that he hadn't intended any harm
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.Related Stories
Broader Implications for AI in Legal Proceedings
This incident highlights the growing intersection of AI and legal processes, raising questions about the appropriate use of technology in courtrooms. It follows other recent controversies, including cases where attorneys were penalized for submitting AI-generated legal research containing fictitious information
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.The Future of AI in Law
Despite this setback, some legal experts believe that AI's role in the legal system is likely to expand. Daniel Shin, an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School, commented, "From my perspective, it was inevitable." However, he noted that such innovations are more likely to come from individuals representing themselves rather than licensed attorneys bound by strict professional rules
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.As the legal community grapples with the implications of AI, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and adherence to courtroom protocols when introducing new technologies into legal proceedings
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