Emerging technology

Justice Department to Solicit AI Insights Through Six-Month Initiative

The Department of Justice’s deputy attorney general, Lisa Monaco, announced that the agency will discuss artificial intelligence-related matters with experts through a six-month initiative.

Speaking at the University of Oxford about the risks and opportunities presented by AI, Monaco said the department, through the “Justice AI” initiative, will collect information from experts in the private sector, academia, civil society and science sectors. Information gathered would help the department understand AI, take full advantage of its potential and prepare for and mitigate risks.

Under Justice AI, Monaco will create a report containing the department’s findings and send it to President Joe Biden, FedScoop reported Thursday.

The U.S. judiciary sector has continued to buy in on AI in recent months while providing some caveats.

In January, Chief Justice John Roberts said in his 2023 year-end report that AI will help during case trials and allow people with lesser economic capabilities to access the court system. However, Roberts said humans are still needed during trials as they can identify clues where AI cannot.

Meanwhile, the DOJ sought information in November on an AI-enabled internal communications software platform to improve the DOJNet website and create “Justice Hub,” a new platform allowing users to access information more easily.