UK High Court Judge Discovers Witness Using AI-Powered Smart Glasses to Cheat During Testimony
Key Takeaways
- ▸A witness was caught using AI-connected smart glasses to receive real-time coaching during high court testimony in London
- ▸The judge found the claimant was being fed answers through his mobile phone while wearing the smart glasses, with someone on the other end providing coached responses
- ▸The discovery occurred when interference was heard, the witness paused suspiciously before replies, and audio broadcast from his phone after the glasses were removed
Summary
A Lithuanian claimant, Laimonas Jakštys, was caught using smart glasses connected to his mobile phone to receive real-time answers while testifying in London's High Court, a judge has ruled. Insolvency Judge Raquel Agnello KC found that Jakštys was "untruthful in denying his use of the smart glasses" and that his witness statements "were clearly prepared by others." The judge discovered the scheme after hearing interference during his testimony and noticing suspicious pauses before replies. When asked to remove his glasses, Jakštys's mobile phone began broadcasting audio of someone coaching him, which he implausibly claimed was ChatGPT.
The judge determined that Jakštys was being coached by a Lithuanian lawyer, Dr Paulius Miliauskas, who was watching the hearing via video link. After the smart glasses were removed, Jakštys struggled to answer questions, making it clear he had been relying on external assistance. Agnello rejected Jakštys's evidence entirely and ruled in favor of the defendants. The case highlights an emerging challenge for courts as litigators warn that technological advances may make such courtroom deception tactics increasingly common.
- Litigation experts warn this may be the first of many cases involving technological cheating in court proceedings as AI and smart device capabilities advance
Editorial Opinion
This case represents a troubling convergence of AI accessibility and courtroom integrity. While the use of smart glasses and real-time coaching is fundamentally a fraud issue, the ease with which AI tools like ChatGPT and mobile devices can be weaponized to deceive courts raises serious questions about verification and security in legal proceedings. As the defendant's counsel noted, this may become a recurring problem, signaling that courts will need to develop new protocols to detect and prevent similar technological deception tactics.
