AI Avatar Testifies in Arizona Court, Paving New Ground in Legal Proceedings
By Liliana Salgado and Andrew Goudsward
CHANDLER, ARIZONA (Reuters) – In a groundbreaking legal event this month, an AI-generated avatar of Christopher Pelkey addressed his killer in an Arizona courtroom, marking a potential first in U.S. judicial history. Created by Pelkey’s family, the virtual representation appeared via video during the sentencing of Gabriel Paul Horcasitas, convicted of killing Pelkey in a road rage incident.
The avatar, resembling Pelkey, conveyed a poignant message, expressing regret over their fatal encounter and the possibility of friendship in different circumstances. Despite its artificial nature—with noticeable audio gaps and awkward movements—the video aimed to humanize Pelkey, a 37-year-old U.S. Army veteran.
Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, emphasized that she scripted the message to convey her grief after struggling to articulate her feelings directly. While Horcasitas received a 10.5-year prison sentence for manslaughter, the use of AI in court raises ethical concerns, as noted by legal experts who caution against its potential to manipulate emotional responses in legal settings.
As generative AI technology evolves, its application in courtrooms could reshape how personal narratives are presented, inviting both intrigue and scrutiny in the legal realm.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
