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[Eugene Volokh] Court Notes Apparent AI-Generated Errors in Court Reporter's Transcript

The Indiana Court of Appeals criticized a trial transcript riddled with errors, suggesting that the improper use of generative artificial intelligence likely compromised the document's accuracy and reliability.

Key Points

  • Judge Felix of the Indiana Court of Appeals identified numerous typos, misattributed statements, and incorrect names within the official trial transcript for Williams v. State.
  • The court noted that errors included attributing a state motion to the trial judge and a defense objection to the bailiff.
  • The appellate panel explicitly suggested that generative AI tools were likely used to prepare the transcript without adequate human oversight or proofreading.
  • Indiana Appellate Rule 28(B) mandates that court reporters must certify the accuracy of all transcripts submitted for legal review.

Why it Matters

This case highlights the growing risks of integrating unverified AI tools into legal documentation processes where precision is a fundamental requirement for justice. It serves as a warning to legal professionals that reliance on automated transcription must be balanced with rigorous human verification to maintain the integrity of the judicial record.
Reason Published by Eugene Volokh
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