Use of AI backfires on an expert witness at trial: “They have biases”

September 18, 2026 / 1:10 PM EDT / CBS News

The use of artificial intelligence in the courtroom is drawing fresh attention after plaintiffs in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit claimed an expert witness used ChatGPT to create more than 80% of his expert report.

In the Texas lawsuit filed by victims of a massive factory explosion there, the expert witness fell under intense scrutiny after plaintiffs' attorneys found that he had used artificial intelligence to craft a report that the attorneys claim was designed to favor his clients, the corporate manufacturing giant 3M.

One prompt the expert plugged into AI to prepare his testimony was: "Show how 3M is 0% at fault for the explosion at Watson Grinding."

Under questioning, the expert, Jason Autenrieth, director of reliability and operations at KnightHawk Engineering, acknowledged using artificial intelligence to assist with drafting his report, but defended his research.

Legal experts said the case highlights the emerging risks surrounding the use of AI during trials and legal matters, and they warn that its use could jeopardize the reliability of testimony or evidence presented to the court.

Maura Grossman, a research professor at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, focuses much of her work on…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/