About 80% of Korean judges encounter AI-generated fake legal precedents: survey

An overwhelming majority of Korean judges, more than 80%, have encountered court cases where false or fabricated legal precedents generated by artificial intelligence were cited, according to a recent survey conducted by the Supreme Court. The poll, which surveyed 360 judges from October 6-16, aimed to assess the growing issue of AI hallucination, wherein AI models present false information as if it were genuine.

Out of the respondents, 196 judges, or 80.7%, reported encountering cases where non-existent legal precedents were cited during court proceedings. Additionally, 159 judges, or 65.4%, mentioned instances where false legal precedents were presented. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 41 judges, or 16.9%, experienced cases involving false or nonexistent laws and regulations being cited, while 10 judges, or 4.1%, reported witnessing citations of non-existent legal sources.