Overview

• Jerome Dewald, a plaintiff in an employment dispute, sought to use an AI avatar to present his opening statement in a New York State Supreme Court proceeding on March 26, 2025.
• The AI avatar, representing Dewald, was interrupted and cut off by Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, who expressed disapproval of the undisclosed use of the technology.
• The court mandated that Dewald present his arguments personally, emphasizing the importance of human participation in courtroom advocacy.
• Legal experts have highlighted the limitations of AI avatars in court, including their inability to respond dynamically to judicial inquiries or adapt arguments in real-time.
• This case underscores the broader tension between technological innovation in legal processes and the adherence to traditional courtroom practices.