The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana announced on Mar. 31 that attorneys and individuals representing themselves should be cautious when submitting documents containing language generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in court filings.
This notice is important because it addresses concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information produced by AI tools, emphasizing that such technology should not replace careful legal research or verification.
The court stated that using AI without checking the accuracy of its output can lead to problems similar to those caused by other unreliable research methods. The statement highlights that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 requires all parties, including those representing themselves, to ensure their submissions are accurate and not baseless. “Use of Al without verification of the accuracy of the information it generates-like any other shoddy research method from other sources or tools-implicates. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, the central purpose of which is to deter baseless filings in district court and thus to streamline the administration and procedure of the federal courts,” said Amber E. Craig, Clerk of Court.
Rule 11 applies equally to actions filed by self-represented litigants as well as attorneys. According to Craig, failure to verify information could result in sanctions for improper filings.
The broader implication is a reminder for all who practice before federal courts: new technologies like AI do not change longstanding rules about responsible advocacy and accurate representation before judges.
