—Dominic Theos (Mentor: Nick Smith)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has entered courtrooms across the globe, and it is not going away. The United States and China are commonly viewed as the world’s leading AI powers, so this research article begins by distinguishing between their two approaches to courtroom implementation. The U.S. has a primarily limited approach, using AI as a statistical calculator for risk assessment, while China deploys more advanced generative AI systems that perform substantive judicial functions. Given the inherent benefits of AI and its inevitable improvement, increased implementation is certain. I argue that China’s governance approach and data infrastructure, as opposed to those of the U.S., are better fit to manage this technology’s heightened adoption. Furthermore, there is an additional concern for the U.S. at the macro level. Even if the technology itself is perfected, widespread AI adoption could contradict core American values, occurring without public awareness or deliberation. I briefly conclude that the U.S. should not attempt to match China's pace, and instead adopt measured regulation informed by China's successes and failures.
