Australian federal court warns lawyers over ‘unacceptable’ use of AI

Lawyers who use generative AI in ways that go against the new rules should expect consequences such as adverse costs orders, Australia’s federal court has stated. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

The federal court of Australia has warned the legal profession about the dangers of using generative artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, issuing new rules for its use, with potential financial or legal consequences if AI errors frustrate court cases.

Amid an explosion in court filings in Australia and across the globe found to have included false citations generated by AI, the federal court on Thursday issued a new practice note on how the technology can be used in court cases.