US Court Blocks AI Avatar from Speaking

In a New York appellate court, a man attempted to replace himself with an AI avatar.

Jerome Dewald, 74, sent an AI-created avatar instead of presenting his own oral arguments during a hearing on a labor dispute. The video was played during the session, but Judge Sallie Manzanet-Daniels immediately demanded it be turned off.

She noted that the defendant had previously appeared in person and was capable of speaking for himself.

“I do not appreciate being misled. […] You will not use the courtroom to promote your business,” stated Manzanet-Daniels.

Later, Dewald apologized and said he wanted to present his position “more eloquently.”

According to an interview with Associated Press, he sought court permission to play a pre-recorded video and then used a San Francisco tech company to create the avatar.

Initially, he planned to make a digital copy of himself but did not have time.

Back in May 2023, attorney Steven Schwartz from the law firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman used ChatGPT in preparing documents for a client’s case.