California issues historic fine over lawyer's ChatGPT fabrications
11 hours ago
- #AI in law
- #legal ethics
- #ChatGPT misuse
- A California attorney was fined $10,000 for submitting a court appeal with 21 out of 23 fake quotes generated by ChatGPT.
- The court's opinion serves as a warning against using unverified AI-generated citations in legal filings.
- California's Judicial Council issued guidelines requiring judges and court staff to regulate AI use by December 15.
- The attorney, Amir Mostafavi, claimed he was unaware ChatGPT would fabricate case citations.
- Experts predict a rise in AI-related legal misconduct due to the technology's tendency to 'hallucinate' false information.
- Over 600 cases nationwide involve lawyers citing nonexistent legal authority due to AI errors.
- Legal professionals suggest education and ethical guidelines to mitigate AI misuse in the legal field.
- Judges and clerks are also at risk of citing fake legal authority generated by AI.