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A Lawyer for Pras Michel Used AI to Craft Closing Arguments. Now, the Fugees Rapper Wants the Conviction Tossed
The artist argues that he didn't receive a fair trial, in part because his former lawyer used generative artificial intelligence to write his closing remarks.
October 17, 2023
On April 20, attorney David Kenner delivered closing statements for Prakazrel “Pras” Michel in a closely watched fraud trial involving allegations that the Fugees founding member directed a sprawling conspiracy in which he funneled money from a Malaysian financier to a network of straw donors to make illegal campaign contributions to Barack Obama in 2012. But to the surprise of Michel’s new lawyers, who were retained after the artist was found guilty, Kenner’s first remarks to the jury appeared to be an admission of guilt.
“Ladies and gentleman, this case started back in 2012 when there was, as the government characterizes it, an effort to funnel money to President Obama’s reelection campaign,” Kenner said.
It turned out that Kenner used generative artificial intelligence to help craft his closing remarks, according to a court filing. Michel, who was convicted on charges of conspiring to make straw campaign donations and acting as an unregistered agent for China, is now moving toss the conviction based on arguments that his former lawyer’s use of AI tools deprived him of a fair trial.
In a motion filed on Monday, Michel’s new attorneys argued that Kenner — known across Hollywood for representing artists in assault and homicide cases — “made frivolous arguments” and “failed to highlight key weaknesses in the Government’s case” by generating his closing argument using an AI program called EyeLevel.AI in which he allegedly has an undisclosed financial stake.
“The AI program failed Kenner, and Kenner failed Michel,” wrote Peter Zeidenberg, who represents Michel. “The closing argument was deficient, unhelpful, and a missed opportunity that prejudiced the defense.”
EyeLevel.AI chief operating officer Neil Katz tells The Hollywood Reporter that “neither Kenner Law nor its associates have a financial stake” in the company. He adds, “They were happy with our AI’s capabilities and provided a quote for a press release.”
In the May 10 release, EyeLevel.AI said that its “litigation assistance technology made history last week, becoming the first use of generative AI in a federal trial.” Kenner called the AI tool an “absolute game changer for complex litigation,” touting its ability to turn “hours or days of legal work into seconds.”
Zeidenberg claims that the defense team, including Kenner and co-counsel Alon Israely, has a financial interest in CaseFile Connect, a partner of EyeLevel.AI. While the company doesn’t identify its owners, it lists its principal office as the same address for Kenner’s law firm, according to a declaration from Zeidenberg.
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A Lawyer for Pras Michel Used AI to Craft Closing Arguments. Now, the Fugees Rapper Wants the Conviction Tossed
The artist argues that he didn't receive a fair trial, in part because his former lawyer used generative artificial intelligence to write his closing remarks.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
