Grace Wang Joins NJ State Court Artificial Intelligence Committee

New Jersey court officials are turning to NJIT’s Grace Wang, director of the university’s Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, as their technology expert for a new committee to help judges and lawyers understand AI’s role in the legal system.

“Artificial intelligence is a tool that we are still learning about, and while it holds the potential for great opportunities, it can also create significant challenges within the legal community,” State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner stated. The committee will “examine potential policies and practices in numerous areas, including the appropriate use (and possible limitations for use) of artificial intelligence in legal contexts, the disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence in court submissions and testimony, and proper guidance for self-represented litigants and other court users.”

Wang is the sole academic appointed by Rabner on the committee, which has 31 members who are mostly judges and attorneys. In addition to founding the AI research center, she is part of NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing, serving as Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research. She is also the first woman at NJIT to become a fellow of the IEEE.

“I feel greatly honored to be appointed … and look forward to making contributions as a NJIT professor,” she said. “I am confident in my ability to offer valuable contributions from a technical standpoint. This includes explaining the underlying principles of AI and discussing various technical challenges and pitfalls.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to be selected for the committee. I've held a deep fascination with the law and the legal system. While it may not traditionally be seen as a part of the scientific domain, I perceive it as a realm grounded in essential logic,” Wang explained. “This appointment is like serendipity. It's an exciting opportunity to collaborate with judges and attorneys, contributing to discussions about AI in legal systems.”

Wang understands that technology changes quickly while the law moves slowly, however, “I have been pleasantly surprised by the open-mindedness of the legal professionals on this committee. They not only embrace new technologies but also acknowledge the significant impact AI can have on the legal system. For instance, they are actively discussing issues like dealing with fake evidence created by advanced technologies,” she observed.

“The rapid advancement of technology is inexorable, and keeping pace with it is not just a choice but a necessity. Falling behind could lead to more problems than solutions. In my experience, the legal professionals in this committee are not only highly intelligent but also proactively seeking ways to integrate these technological advancements into the legal framework.”

Court officials said Connecticut, Florida and Texas, along with the American Bar Association, are also formally studying how to handle AI in law and litigation.