Source: Techdirt

Techdirt reports on a Minnesota professor who faced backlash after using AI-generated citations in a defense of the state’s deepfake law, which was deemed unconstitutional. The professor publicly apologized, acknowledging that the citations provided by the AI tool were entirely fabricated and undermined the credibility of his argument.

The incident highlights growing concerns about the reliability of AI in academic and legal research. Critics argue that such tools, while useful for drafting, can produce misleading or entirely fictitious outputs, particularly when not properly vetted by the user. The professor’s case demonstrates the importance of verifying AI-generated content, especially in fields like law where accuracy and credibility are paramount.

The article also sheds light on the broader debate surrounding Minnesota’s deepfake law, which was criticized for overly broad language that could infringe on free speech rights. This case emphasizes the dual challenges of regulating cutting-edge technologies like AI and ensuring their responsible use in legal and academic contexts.