Blog by Brianna Fanzo, Senior Associate

As time has progressed, society is constantly making advancements in technology.[1] Artificial Intelligence is one example of this rapidly changing technology. [2]  Specifically, artificial intelligence is defined as computers that give human like responses.[3] Some examples of commonly used artificial intelligence are self-driving cars, Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, manufacturing robots, and ChatGPT.[4] There are many positive attributes of these examples such as simplifying everyday tasks for users, advancing businesses and their plans, increasing profits, and reducing human error.[5] However, after a critical analysis of these new tools, there is a strong possibility that there can be substantial harm as a result of user’s reliance on artificial intelligence.

While on the surface these tools are progressive milestones, there are dangers in relying on them. ChatGPT has become extremely popular recently. Users can operate ChatGPT by going to chat.openai.com/chat and creating an account.[6] After creating the account, users begin a new chat by clicking “new chat” and then they can type their question into the message box.[7] ChatGPT will then generate a response to the question posed and produce a written response.[8] This seems like a useful tool for researchers and students who want more detail then a broad google search can provide. However, in very small fine print at the bottom of the screen it states that the artificial intelligence may respond with inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.[9] This statement sheds light on the possible threat that artificial intelligence is posing to society, specifically the academic fields. For example, in Mata v. Avianca, Inc. an attorney who submitted an Affirmation in Opposition in an ongoing dispute turned to ChatGPT for assistance generating legal authority to support his arguments.[10] After submitting the affirmation, the opposing counsel, as well as the Court, was unable to find the cited authority.[11] The attorney admitted that he had prompted ChatGPT to provide him legal authority to support his arguments.[12] ChatGPT produced cases and the attorney requested more.[13] The attorney did not think that ChatGPT would create false authority or makeup case names, so he did not do any further research.[14] The attorney did not use ChatGPT as a supplement, as he originally claimed, but instead relied on it.[15] The court sanctioned the attorney for his actions.[16] This is just one eye opening example of detrimental reliance on ChatGPT.

There are already countries that have banned ChatGPT, including Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Italy, Syria, and Cuba.[17] Some of these countries have banned ChatGPT for privacy concerns.[18]  Other countries banned it because of their strict internet censorship laws.[19] Additionally, there is some concern that ChatGPT can provide false information to users.[20]

With this information, it is important to consider going forward how ChatGPT should be utilized. There is a strong argument that there is a positive impact ChatGPT can have on its users while studying or researching. However, it is important that while more advancements are made users do not blindly rely on information fed to them by artificial intelligence because of damaging effects that can result.

[1] Craig Rock, How to Stay in Control In The Ever-Changing World of Technology, FORBES, Dec. 18, 2018.

[2] Mike Thomas, The Future of AI: How Artificial Intelligence Will Change the World, built in, (March 3, 2023) https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-future.

[3] Darrell M. West and John R. Allen, How artificial intelligence is transforming the world, Brookings (April 24, 2018).

[4] See Sam Daley, 36 Artificial Intelligence Examples Shaking Up Business Across Industries, Built in, (Feb.17, 2023) https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/examples-ai-in-industry (listing several artificial intelligence examples); see also Bernard Marr, Are Alexa And Siri Considered AI?, Bernard Marr & Co., https://bernardmarr.com/are-alexa-and-siri-considered-ai/ (discussing Siri and Alexa); see Sabrina Ortiz, What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? Here’s what you need to know, ZDNET (Oct. 26, 2023, 8:57PM), https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-does-it-matter-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/ (explaining the basics of ChatGPT).

[5] Mary K. Pratt, 12 key benefits of AI for business, TechTarget (Oct. 26, 2023, 9:00 PM), https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/6-key-benefits-of-AI-for-business.

[6] See Ortiz supra note 4.

[7] See Maria Diaz, How to use ChatGPT, ZDNET (Oct. 26, 2023, 9:03 PM), https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-chatgpt/ (providing readers with a step by step list of how to use ChatGPT).

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Mata v. Avianca, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108263, 2 (S.D.N.Y 2023).

[11] Id. at 11.

[12] Id. at 21-22.

[13] Id.

[14] Id. at 26-27.

[15] Mata, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108263 at 24.

[16] Id. at 45-46.

[17] Jon Martindale, These are the countries where ChatGPT is currently banned, digitaltrends. April 12, 2023.

[18] Id.

[19]  Kevin Pocock, What is ChatGPT? Why you need to care about GPT 4, PCguide (Oct. 23, 2023), https://www.pcguide.com/apps/what-is-chat-gpt/

[20] Ryan Browne, Italy became the first Western country to ban ChatGPT. Here’s what other countries are doing, CNBC (Apr. 17, 2023), https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/04/italy-has-banned-chatgpt-heres-what-other-countries-are-doing.html.