The Rise of AI Fakes: Threats to the Legal Industry
Over the past few years, the rapid progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technologies has led to a worrying development: the emergence and widespread dissemination of AI-generated synthetic content, commonly known as "AI fakes" or "deepfakes." While these advancements have undoubtedly brought significant advantages to various industries, they have also posed new challenges, especially within the legal industry.
Lex Burke, an expert in legal forensics and the director of the forensics technology services group at Clayton Utz, a prominent law firm, has highlighted the potential consequences of incorporating AI tools in the legal industry. Burke emphasises the importance of acknowledging and addressing the potential misuse of artificial intelligence as the legal profession explores its capabilities. This article aims to shed light on the growing concern surrounding AI fakes and their anticipated impact on legal expenses.
The Rise and its Impact
AI fakes, also known as deepfakes, refer to highly realistic and manipulated digital content encompassing images, videos, audio recordings, and text. Through sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI algorithms can generate fabricated content nearly indistinguishable from genuine media. Renowned deepfake expert Hany Farid, a professor at UC Berkeley, has observed an astonishing evolution in deepfakes. In January 2019, deepfakes were relatively crude and flawed, exhibiting glitches and flickering visual effects. However, within a mere nine months, Farid witnessed an unprecedented advancement in their quality and believability. This rapid progress in deepfake technology signifies that the influence of AI fakes is extensive and likely to intensify in the future.
Recent advancements in AI have enabled the generation of convincing deepfake content even with a single photograph of an individual. The ability to create realistic and deceptive deepfakes using minimal source material has sparked significant concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology and its implications across various aspects of society, including legal proceedings. AI fakes can be employed to fabricate false evidence, manipulate records, or forge witness statements, raising substantial apprehensions about their impact.
The rise of AI fakes poses several potential impacts on legal proceedings. Firstly, it increases the complexity of litigation, as determining the authenticity and reliability of evidence becomes more challenging. Secondly, the use of fraudulent evidence generated by AI algorithms can undermine the integrity of legal cases. Additionally, AI fakes can contribute to identity theft, where individuals' identities are manipulated or falsely represented. This not only jeopardises the privacy and security of individuals but also complicates legal investigations. Moreover, AI fakes have the potential to cause significant damage to reputations, as fabricated content can be used to defame or misrepresent individuals or organisations. The prevalence of AI fakes also places a heightened burden of proof on legal professionals, who must navigate the complexities of distinguishing between genuine and manipulated digital content. Lastly, detecting and analysing AI fakes require specialised forensic expertise, highlighting the necessity for professionals with knowledge and skills in this domain in legal proceedings.
Mitigating the Impact
The legal community has recognised the challenges posed by AI fakes and is taking steps to mitigate their impact. In various jurisdictions, legislation is being introduced or proposed specifically targeting deepfakes, to criminalise their creation, distribution, and malicious use.
To address the legal implications associated with AI-generated content, certain image-hosting platforms have proactively banned the hosting and dissemination of such content. This decision stems from concerns about the potential legal consequences that may arise from its use. Legal experts have also cautioned companies using generative AI tools about the inadvertent incorporation of copyrighted material generated by these tools, which could expose them to legal risks.
Furthermore, legal professionals are increasingly incorporating forensic expertise and technological tools to identify and debunk AI fakes. Heather Meeker, a legal expert specialising in open-source software licensing and a general partner at OSS Capital, anticipates a surge in litigation related to generative AI products. This insight suggests that the legal landscape surrounding generative AI tools is becoming more complex and prone to litigation.
To mitigate the impact of AI fakes in the legal industry, several strategies can be employed, including:
- Proactive guidelines and regulations should be developed through collaboration between regulatory bodies and legal institutions. These guidelines would address the authentication and admissibility of AI-generated evidence, ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings and minimising the potential misuse of AI fakes.
- Continued research and development of AI tools and algorithms specifically designed to detect and authenticate AI fakes can significantly assist legal professionals in combating fraudulent evidence. These technological solutions streamline the identification process, reducing the time and costs associated with forensic investigations.
- Legal professionals and forensic experts should remain updated on the latest advancements in AI technology and develop expertise in identifying and addressing AI fakes. Collaboration among legal professionals, technology experts, and forensic specialists can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of investigations while minimising legal costs.
