Finance

Michael Cohen Acknowledges Using Google Bard for Legal Fabrications

Published December 30, 2023

In a surprising turn of events, Michael Cohen, the former attorney for Donald Trump, has confessed to employing Google Bard, an AI conversational service by Alphabet Inc. GOOG, in a rather unconventional way. Cohen admitted to using the AI to reference fictitious legal precedents, which were then presented to his legal advisor, David M. Schwartz. These fabricated cases subsequently found their way into federal court submissions, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.

The Implications of AI in Legal Practices

The revelation sheds light on the potential misuse of artificial intelligence in legal affairs. The use of technology to create non-existent legal authorities undermines the integrity of the legal process and violates the trust placed in legal representatives to provide accurate and genuine legal counsel. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, the legal industry faces growing challenges in ensuring its responsible use.

Stock Market Response to the Controversy

While the news might stir controversy in legal circles, it has also captured the attention of investors watching closely-held companies like Alphabet Inc. GOOG and The New York Times Company NYT. The latter, a leading global news provider, often plays a pivotal role in circulating major stories like this, potentially affecting the market perception of the involved entities. As an unprecedented event linking legal practice with AI technology, market responses could be unpredictable.

Cohen, Google, Bard