Artificial intelligence mimics judicial reasoning

Computer programs can already match judges in decision-making, a conference highlighting the growing use of artificial intelligence in law heard last night. A poll of more than 300 attendees at the Law Society's Robots and Lawyers conference found that 48% of respondents' firms already use some form artificial intelligence (AI) -- though only 4% agreed that lawyers will eventually be replaced by robots. However, research conducted by the University of Liverpool suggests a decision-making algorithm could be as effective at dispensing justice as a judge. Professor Katie Atkinson (pictured), head of the university's department of computer science, said the university had researched whether its computer programs could replicate the reasoning that judges go through. Looking at'a body of case law' covering 32 cases, the programs had a 96% success rate and got only one case wrong, she said.