RRT releases new guidance on implementing AI technologies
Courts seeking guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) now have access to two new resources, thanks to the AI Rapid Response Team (RRT).
The Getting Started and Platform Considerations resources provide practical interim guidance for courts on experimenting with AI tools, understanding how AI technologies use data, and evaluating contractual terms and conditions.
"This new guidance enables courts to confidently take some initial steps in experimenting with AI technologies to understand their potential moving forward," said Shay Cleary, an NCSC Court Consulting Services managing director and AI RRT staff lead. "This guidance puts courts in the right direction."
Getting Started
The RRT advises courts to first experiment with AI tools to better understand how the technologies work. This approach can minimize risk and maximize learning.
As courts become comfortable with basic tasks, they can use generative AI for more advanced tasks and later share knowledge and lessons learned with other courts.
The RRT’s Getting Started guidance suggests courts should:
- Experiment with low-risk tasks using public data
- Employ a "human-in-the-loop" approach
- Ensure permission and understand the terms of use
- Provide training to judges and court staff.
Platform Considerations
As courts experiment with and utilize AI tools, they must understand how AI technology uses information and data.
Like other technologies, AI tools require an understanding of data sensitivity, access control, and usage. AI-generated data requires the same considerations.
The RRT recommends a cautious approach to integrating generative AI in court settings. Experimenting with AI tools can help courts confidently consider new AI or AI-enabled platforms.
Tips for evaluating a platform’s use of information and data include:
- Understand new AI terms and conditions
- Consider data governance issues
- Utilize a team-based approach
The AI RRT is a joint project of NCSC, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA).
Visit the AI RRT resource center to read the interim guidance and for current information and resources for both state and federal courts.
Nominations open for the 2024 Mary C. McQueen Leadership Award
The Mary C. McQueen Leadership Award is given every two years to recognize an individual—justice, judge, court administrator, lawyer, or citizen—who has made extraordinary contributions to advancing the administration of justice at the local, state, and/or national level over a sustained period of time.
Named after NCSC President Mary McQueen, the award is given jointly by the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers, and the National Association for Court Management.
Nominations and supporting materials should be submitted by May 24 to Sirena Kestner. For more information about the award and the nomination process, please visit ccj.ncsc.org.