AI brings murdered man back to the courtroom – should this be banned?

Artificial intelligence has developed at record speed and is finding applications in virtually all sectors of society. From healthcare to financial services, from entertainment to education – AI is transforming the way we work and live. The legal system is no exception.

While AI can offer enormous benefits in legal research, document analysis, and administrative processes, fundamental risks arise when technology is used to simulate human emotions, intentions, and statements. The recent case of Christopher Pelkey in Arizona marks a disturbing milestone: for the first time in American jurisprudence, an AI-generated avatar was permitted to speak on behalf of a deceased victim during a criminal trial.

This white paper analyzes why such applications of AI set a dangerous precedent that threatens the integrity of our legal system. We examine the technical, legal, and ethical aspects of this case and formulate concrete recommendations to prevent similar situations in the future.