It has happened – a lawmaker has admitted to secretly using ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, to write a proposal for a new law that was subsequently passed unanimously. City councilman Ramiro Rosário is at the center of this revelation, as he confessed to using the AI-powered technology to draft a proposal aimed at preventing the city from charging taxpayers to replace stolen water consumption meters. The chatbot provided the answer, which Rosário took directly to his fellow council members without disclosing its origin.
If I had revealed it beforehand, the proposal certainly wouldn’t even have been taken to a vote, Rosário candidly admitted.
To his surprise, the 36-member council approved the proposal with unanimous support, and the new law went into effect on November 23.
Rosário defended his decision, stating, It would be unfair to the population to run the risk of the project not being approved simply because it was written by artificial intelligence.
This groundbreaking incident marks the first time lawmakers have passed a law entirely written by AI, raising significant questions about the implications of such technology on legislation worldwide.
Legal experts have expressed concerns about the limitations of AI-powered tools in interpreting legal principles and precedent. Andrew Perlman, dean at Suffolk University Law School, pointed out that ChatGPT may not always be able to account for the nuances and complexities of the law. As a machine learning system, it lacks the same level of understanding and judgment as a human lawyer, potentially leading to issues in cases where a more comprehensive legal analysis is required.
The use of AI language models like ChatGPT to create laws raises important ethical and practical considerations. While the technology can assist in generating ideas and proposals, it cannot replace the expertise and experience of human lawmakers. Additionally, transparency about the origin of proposed legislation is crucial in preserving the integrity and accountability of the legislative process.
Lawmakers and legal experts alike must grapple with these complex issues as AI continues to evolve, providing new tools that can potentially shape the laws of the future. The incident involving Councilman Rosário has sparked a broader conversation about the appropriate role of AI in legal decision-making and the need for careful deliberation on incorporating such technology into legislative processes.
As the implications of this event reverberate globally, lawmakers, legal scholars, and AI developers must seek a balance between harnessing the capabilities of AI and maintaining the necessary human judgment and oversight in the creation of laws. Finding this equilibrium will be instrumental in navigating the evolving landscape where artificial intelligence intersects with the legal system.
