Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize virtually every facet of our lives. These days, it is not uncommon for AI to take up tasks ranging from driving cars to performing intricate surgeries. It has even found a place in enabling easier language comprehension and summarization given the waning patience for reading and declining writing skills in modern societies. However, one occupation that is yet to fully leverage AI’s potential is that of prosecutors.
A joint initiative between the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge and local prosecutorial offices underscores the existing reluctance in the prosecutorial field to embrace technology and innovation. Currently, empirical research on decision-making by prosecutors is in its early stages, with data available for academics and policy think tanks significantly limited. In many regions across the US, especially smaller jurisdictions, the idea of electronic case management systems in prosecution is still seen as a novelty.
The goal of transitioning from traditional criminal case paper files to AI handling a substantial segment of prosecutors’ tasks can seem like a distant objective, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be so. The pressures exerted on the legal system by Covid-19, including noticeably increased case disposition timelines, further highlight the need to adopt AI tools.
Several examples demonstrate how AI can be employed effectively within the legal profession. For instance, in Cook County, Ill., all misdemeanors are filed automatically with the courts circumventing the state’s attorney’s office, indicating the potential for AI to handle specific routine tasks. In addition to assisting prosecutors with workload, AI can also help ensure consistency in decisions and help identify problematic cases through comparative analyses. It can also be a useful tool in detecting and addressing racial disparities.
More than just screening and disposing of criminal cases, AI can assist prosecutors with timely outreach to victims and connecting them with relevant services. With more than 2,300 local prosecutorial offices lacking substantial resources for data analysis, AI could provide a feasible solution to generate regular statistical reports that promote research-driven decision-making.
In a rapidly evolving world with ever-increasing complexities, AI could play a supportive role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the legal system, helping to democratize legal services, and advancing justice and fairness.
The original article was authored by Besiki Luka Kutateladze, a criminology professor at Florida International University. He is also a co-manager of the Prosecutorial Performance Indicators, a national research, and technical assistance project focusing on prosecutorial reform. You can read more about his perspectives on AI in the legal world in his article.