Law360 (April 12, 2024, 4:28 PM EDT) -- New York's state court system has announced a new statewide advisory panel to study how the potential implementation of artificial intelligence could improve justice in the Empire State, as well as ways to avoid ethical risks posed by the new technology.

On Thursday, Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George named the 39 advisory committee members who will make up the new panel, which is tasked with identifying the benefits and minimizing the risks of navigating changes associated with artificial intelligence.

"AI's potential for driving change is extensive," Judge St. George said in a statement. "As the New York state courts begin to tap its vast potential in our ongoing efforts to streamline court operations, enhance justice services and more effectively inform the public about the judiciary's important work, we must carefully assess AI's benefits and risks, with the goal to create 'human-centered' AI tools that increase the court system's efficiency and efficacy while also incorporating human creativity and empathy."

The task force will be led by Justice Angela G. Iannacci, an appellate judge who has sat on the Second Department's AI Task Force since January 2023; Stuart Levi, a Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP partner and co-chair of the Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee of the New York City Bar Association's Digital Technologies Task Force; and New York University School of Law professor Jason Schultz, director of the school's Technology and Law Clinic.

Attorneys from BigLaw firms Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, Proskauer Rose LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP have also been named to the panel, alongside New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Other members include state Supreme Court justices, trial and appellate court judges, judicial staff, state legislators and others.

"I have every confidence in the substantial knowledge of this preeminent committee and in the astute guidance of its three uniquely qualified co-chairs — trailblazers Angela Iannacci, Stuart Levi, and Jason Schultz — to carry out this important charge," Judge Zayas said in comments provided by the courts. "I look forward to the committee's recommendations and the advances to come in the quality and delivery of justice in New York."

Among areas of focus for the new committee are assessing potential new tools for use by judges, attorneys, litigants and court staff; establishing and providing training for judicial officers, attorneys and staff; and identifying best practices to move forward on AI integration.

Members will also study the possible need to update work standards to acknowledge AI tools, identify opportunities where AI use could increase access to justice for litigants, and examine how "questions of authenticity" relating to the use of AI might be handled through guidelines, rules or legislation.

The advisory panel was announced days after the New York State Bar Association released a report containing a set of recommendations to help Empire State attorneys navigate the use of artificial intelligence.

In that report, the bar association said the state's court system should consider integrating AI guidance into its Rules of Professional Conduct. The report also recommended legislators consider addressing AI in potential legal regulations.

"While these are incredibly exciting times, with AI showing tremendous promise for transforming court operations, improving court experiences for all users, and greatly expanding access to justice, we have to move cautiously in considering the adoption of the use of AI tools," Judge Zayas said in statements provided by the courts. "The New York state courts must aspire to the effective, responsible, and impartial use of AI, taking every step possible to guard against bias and the lack of human input, and to ensure that all security and privacy concerns are protected."

A spokesperson for the New York courts did not immediately respond to an interview request Friday.
--Graphics by Ben Jay. Additional reporting by Matt Perez. Editing by Amy French.

Correction: An earlier version of this article included an incorrect committee name. The error has been corrected.

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