March 09, 2007
AI system cited for unlicensed practice of law:
The robot rebellion got a step closer this week as a US court cited a web-based artificial intelligence system for practising law without a license.
The website provided legal advice based on an expert system - a database of knowledge that is often structured by the links and associations made by human experts in the field.
Someone obviously took exception to a programme providing legal advice and the issue ended up in litigation.
The Wired Blog reported on the curious case and linked to the pdf of the court ruling that stated:
[The] system touted its offering of legal advice and projected an aura of expertise concerning bankruptcy petitions; and, in that context, it offered personalized -- albeit automated -- counsel. ... We find that because this was the conduct of a non-attorney, it constituted the unauthorized practice of law.
I'll be looking out for more signs that Skynet is becoming self-aware and will be heading for the bunkers at the earliest sign of impending nuclear war.
Link to Wired Blog on 'AI Cited for Unlicensed Practice of Law'.
