Why Using ChatGPT to Support a Lawsuit Might Not Be the Best Idea

John Smith, a seasoned lawyer who has been practicing law for over 20 years, was hired by a client who was suing a major company for negligence. The case was complex, and John wanted to make sure he had all the evidence he needed to win the case. He had heard about ChatGPT, a popular chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to provide legal advice, and he thought it might be a good idea to use it to strengthen his case.

John started chatting with the ChatGPT bot, asking it questions about the case and the law. The bot provided him with answers that seemed thorough and accurate, and John was impressed. He decided to submit the chat logs as evidence in court.

However, things did not go as planned. The opposing counsel argued that the chat logs were hearsay and that they could not be verified. The judge ultimately ruled that the chat logs could not be admitted as evidence, and this hurt John's case.

The Problem with Using ChatGPT in Legal Proceedings

While ChatGPT can be a useful tool for lawyers in some situations, using it in legal proceedings can be risky. Here are some reasons why:

• Lack of credibility: ChatGPT is not a person and cannot be cross-examined, which means that its statements cannot be verified in the same way that a human witness's statements can be.
• Lack of context: ChatGPT's responses are generated based on the information it has been given. If the information is incomplete or inaccurate, the responses may be as well.
• Hearsay: ChatGPT's responses may be deemed hearsay, which means they are statements made outside of court that are offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Hearsay is generally not admissible in court.

For these reasons, lawyers should think carefully before relying on ChatGPT in any legal proceedings.

Alternative Tools and Strategies for Lawyers

While ChatGPT may not be the best option for lawyers who want to strengthen their cases, there are other tools and strategies they can use. Here are a few examples:

• Legal research databases: Databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw can provide lawyers with comprehensive legal information that is reliable and verifiable.
• Expert witnesses: If a lawyer needs a professional opinion on a matter, they can hire an expert witness to provide testimony.
• Discovery: Lawyers can use the discovery process to obtain evidence from the other side that will help support their case.

Conclusion

While ChatGPT may seem like a useful tool for lawyers who want to improve their legal work, it is important to remember that using it in legal proceedings can be risky. Lawyers who rely on ChatGPT run the risk of having their evidence deemed hearsay or lacking credibility. Instead, lawyers should consider using other tools and strategies, such as legal research databases, expert witnesses, and the discovery process. By doing so, they can have confidence that the evidence they present in court is reliable and credible.

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