AI-Generated Video Argument Sparked Courtroom Confusion
A man representing himself in a New York court stunned judges when he used an artificial intelligence (AI) generated avatar to deliver part of his legal argument.
The incident took place on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, at the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department.
Jerome Dewald, a 74-year-old entrepreneur from New York, was the plaintiff (a person who brings a case to court against someone else) in an ongoing employment dispute. He had received permission from the court to show a pre-recorded video as part of his defense.
But within seconds of the video playing, the courtroom was unsettled.
“That is not a real person”
The clip featured a clean, young-looking man in a shirt and sweater. He began by addressing the court and introducing himself before the judges.
However, confusion quickly arose and Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels interrupted the video. She questioned whether the man on screen was Dewald’s lawyer.
Dewald admitted that the person in the video was not a real person, explaining that he had generated the fake person. Dewald said, “I generated that. That is not a real person.”
The judge appeared visibly displeased with his answer. She expressed her frustration, stating that it would have been important to have known this information when he made his application.
“I don’t appreciate being misled,” she added and ordered to stop the video.
Despite the judge’s frustration, Dewald was allowed to continue presenting his argument but this time, in person.
AI Was Used Due to Fear of Stumbling Over Words
According to The Associated Press, Dewald later explained that he had no intent to deceive the court. he had created the avatar using software from a San Francisco-based tech company to avoid stumbling over his words.
He hoped the AI-generated speaker could present his arguments more clearly.
He initially attempted to create a digital version that looked like him, but due to technical difficulties, he ended up using a generated avatar instead.
Dewald Apologised Following the Hearing
In the days after the hearing, Dewald sent a formal apology to the court, expressing regret over his choice. He acknowledged that, although unintentional, his behavior may have misled the judges.
According to The New York Times, in his apology letter to the court, he stated,
“My intent was never to deceive but rather to present my arguments in the most efficient manner possible. However, I recognize that proper disclosure and transparency must always take precedence.”
Case Still Pending Before the Court
Dewald, a self-described entrepreneur, was appealing a previous decision in a contract dispute with a former employer.
His case remains under review by the appellate court.
Watch the videos here:
@brutamerica A 74-year-old man was scolded in a New York courtroom after using an AI-generated avatar to argue his case without telling the judges. Jerome Dewald, founder of a startup promoting AI legal tools, submitted a video for an employment dispute. But confusion erupted when a virtual speaker—not Dewald—appeared onscreen. #lawyer #courtroom #newyork #law #judges #ailawyer #ai
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