We’re always looking to stay atop of the latest news in all realms of the law and legal proceedings, which brought our attention recently to new technological developments. Technology as it pertains to artificial intelligence has come a long way in recent years. Self driving cars are right around the corner. IBM’s Watson is able to help doctors diagnose diseases. And now, researchers in London have tested the ability of Artificial Intelligence to determine the outcome of legal complex proceedings.
The research team at the University College London, led by Dr. Nikolaos Aletras, developed artificial intelligence software that was capable of detecting patterns in complex decisions determined by the Court. The software considered both the evidence presented and morality in rendering its decision. The study pertained primarily to humans rights cases, including torture, fair trials, and privacy.
While critics were skeptical that Artificial Intelligence could reliably predict the outcome of complex legal matters, the artificial intelligence software in this study was able to successfully predict the outcome of cases 79% of the time.
Lawyers and judges should not be concerned about job security, however, according to the study, according to Dr. Aletras. Similar to IBM’s Watson program as it pertains to medical diagnoses, artificial intelligence for complex legal matters is more likely to serve as a tool to assist practitioners and judges, rather than as a replacement. The software program appears to be of specific relevance as it pertains to violations of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Certainly, it will be interesting to follow along in the years ahead as to what role, if any, technology such as this begins playing in the courtroom.