Rapper Pras Michel, a former member of the Fugees, is seeking a new trial after being convicted of helping a foreign national launder millions of dollars in illegitimate contributions to former President Barack Obama’s campaign. Michel claims that his former defense attorney, David Kenner, used an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to generate his closing argument, making frivolous arguments and failing to highlight key weaknesses in the government’s case. Michel’s new defense team argues that Kenner and his co-counsel had an undisclosed financial stake in the AI program, creating a clear conflict of interest.
It was revealed that Kenner had publicly boasted about the AI program, stating that it “turned hours or days of legal work into seconds.” The program in question is an AI litigation assistance technology developed by a firm called Eyelevel, which claimed that its generative AI made history in being used in a federal trial. However, the press release failed to mention that Michel had been convicted on all ten felony charges.
Former federal prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg confirmed that Kenner had indeed used the AI program during Michel’s trial. In a declaration accompanying the motion for a new trial, Zeidenberg stated that Michel’s former publicist had informed the current defense team about Kenner’s use of the AI program. According to Zeidenberg, Kenner proudly declared that “AI wrote our closing” at the end of the trial.
The trial, which lasted three weeks, included testimony from high-profile witnesses such as Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The case revolved around Michel’s alleged conspiracy with Malaysian businessman Jho Low and others to engage in undisclosed lobbying campaigns at the direction of Low and the Vice Minister of Public Security for the People’s Republic of China. Michel was found guilty of using his celebrity status and access to influence US government officials on behalf of undisclosed foreign interests.
The motion for a new trial raises important questions about the use of AI in legal proceedings. While AI technologies have the potential to revolutionize complex litigation, as Kenner described it, it is crucial to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. The involvement of Kenner and his co-counsel with the AI program during Michel’s trial raises concerns about the impartiality and fairness of the proceedings.
As the legal system continues to grapple with the integration of AI technologies, it becomes essential to establish guidelines and ethical standards for their use. The use of AI in generating legal arguments should be fully disclosed and subject to scrutiny to ensure a fair trial for all parties involved.
The outcome of Michel’s motion for a new trial could have significant implications for future cases involving the use of AI in the legal field. It remains to be seen how the court will respond to Michel’s claims and whether a new trial will be granted. For now, the potential impact of AI technology on the justice system is a topic that continues to evolve and provoke discussion among legal professionals and experts.
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