Overview
- Christopher Pelkey, an Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage shooting, was digitally recreated through AI to deliver a victim impact statement during his killer’s sentencing hearing.
- The AI-generated video featured Pelkey addressing his killer, Gabriel Horcasitas, expressing forgiveness and reflecting his character, which moved the court and led to a 10.5-year sentence—one year above the state’s recommendation.
- Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, spearheaded the AI project, scripting the statement and combining tools to recreate her brother’s voice and image authentically.
- The Arizona Supreme Court has formed a committee to explore ethical and accurate applications of AI in legal proceedings, emphasizing accountability for its use.
- The U.S. Judicial Conference is seeking public input on draft rules to regulate AI-generated evidence, reflecting growing concerns about its potential influence and reliability in courtrooms.