Overview

• Jerome Dewald attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to argue his employment dispute case in the New York State Supreme Court on March 26, 2025.
• Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels halted the presentation, expressing disapproval and stating that Dewald had not disclosed the use of AI in his application.
• The court ruled that Dewald must argue his case in person, emphasizing the importance of human representation in judicial processes.
• Dewald later apologized to the court, explaining that he used the AI avatar to address his struggles with public speaking but acknowledged the need for transparency.
• The incident has fueled debates about the ethical and procedural limits of AI in courtrooms, highlighting the challenges of integrating technology into traditional legal systems.