The policy took effect Jan. 1, and emphasizes that attorneys, judges, and self-represented litigants remain accountable for their work product, without regard to technological advances.
\nThe post Illinois Supreme Court Releases Policy Authorizing Ethical Use Of AI In The Courts appeared first on Above the Law.<\/p>\n
The Illinois Supreme Court today released a policy on the use of generative AI in the courts that authorizes its use by attorneys, judges, court staff and others, provided the use complies with legal and ethical standards.<\/p>\n
The Illinois Supreme Court AI Policy<\/a>, which will take effect Jan. 1, emphasizes that attorneys, judges and self-represented litigants remain accountable for their work product, without regard to technological advances.<\/p>\n \u201cAll users must thoroughly review AI-generated content before submitting it in any court proceeding to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal and ethical obligations,\u201d the policy says. \u201cPrior to employing any technology, including generative AI applications, users must understand both general AI capabilities and the specific tools being utilized.\u201d<\/p>\n The policy also says that courts are to be vigilant against the potential of AI technologies to jeopardize due process, equal protection, or access to justice. \u201cUnsubstantiated or deliberately misleading AI-generated content that perpetuates bias, prejudices litigants, or obscures truth-finding and decision-making will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n The policy also addresses the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality.<\/p>\n \u201cAI applications must not compromise sensitive information, such as confidential communications, personal identifying information (PII), protected health information (PHI), justice and public safety data, security-related information, or information conflicting with judicial conduct standards or eroding public trust,\u201d the policy says.<\/p>\n The policy was drafted by the Illinois Judicial Conference Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, which the court created earlier this year to recommend how the judicial branch should regulate and use AI.<\/p>\n The Task Force was cochaired by Williamson County Judge Jeffrey A. Goffinet and 17th Judicial Circuit Trial Court Administrator Thomas R. Jakeway, and included judges, attorneys, court staff, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n \u201cCourts must do everything they can to keep up with this rapidly changing technology,\u201d Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said in a press rlease announcing the policy<\/a>. \u201cThis policy recognizes that while AI use continues to grow, our current rules are sufficient to govern its use. However, there will be challenges as these systems evolve and the court will regularly reassess those rules and this policy.\u201d<\/p>\n