Court Rejects AI Avatar in Employment Dispute, Reaffirms Human Representation

New York judge mandates plaintiff Jerome Dewald to present arguments personally, reigniting discussions on AI's role in legal proceedings.

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.