Australian federal court warns lawyers over ‘unacceptable’ use of AI

New guidance to legal profession ‘embraces’ use of technology but flags penalties for lawyers who ‘mislead the court’ with AI-generated errors Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The federal court of Australia has warned the legal profession about the dangers of using generative artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, issuing new rules for its use, with potential financial or legal consequences if AI errors frustrate court cases. Amid an explosion in court filings in Australia and across the globe found to have included false citations generated by AI, the federal court on Thursday issued a new practice note on how the technology can be used in court cases. The chief justice of the federal court, Debra Mortimer, said presentation of false or inaccurate information to the court is “unacceptable”. “It is inconsistent with the responsibility on all persons to not mislead the court or other parties,” she said in the note. “It is also likely to frustrate the just resolution of proceedings according to law and as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible.” Mortimer said users