The creation of AI or Artificial Intelligence might be one of the biggest successes in the field of technological advancements but at the same time, AI has brought in several concerns. Even though AI can be used for a range of tasks from writing school essays to handling legal mess, some believe AI might still need some human qualification, like a degree. Well, this might sound like an old-school science fiction story as the world's first robotic lawyer DoNotPay is getting sued by a law firm.

According to Daily Mail, the robot lawyer app DoNotPay was issued a lawsuit by Chicago-based firm, Edelson. Former Stanford University student Joshua Browder, the creator of this AI-powered technology has hit back and said such claims have 'no merit'. The robot that was slated to make history by providing artificial intelligence-assisted legal advice to the first defendant in court is now being charged with practicing law without a license. In the lawsuit, the 2015 app DoNotPay is accused of "masquerading as a licensed practitioner."

The focus of the chatbot-style technology is to provide easy access to legal information and "self-help" to empower clients. However, the service is "illegal," according to Edelson, and the business itself has "substandard" legal documentation. ''Unfortunately for its customers, DoNotPay is not actually a robot, a lawyer or a law firm. DoNotPay does not have a law degree, is not barred in any jurisdiction and is not supervised by any lawyer," reads the complaint in a file published by the Superior Court of the State of California. Well, robots in courtrooms are not a shocking new thing if we take a look at China, the first country to use artificial intelligence to handle legal affairs.

In a tweet made in January 2023, Browder stated that "he has been receiving threats from State Bar prosecutors." "Good morning! Bad news: after receiving threats from State Bar prosecutors, it seems likely they will put me in jail for 6 months if I follow through with bringing a robot lawyer into a physical courtroom. DoNotPay is postponing our court case and sticking to consumer rights," his tweet read. Jonathan Faridian, who filed the Edelson case against DoNotPay said that he had personally used DoNotPay's services to create a discrimination complaint, a small claims filing and several other legal documents. 

"I believe he was purchasing legal documents and services that would be fit for use from a lawyer that was competent to provide them," Faridian said, per the outlet. Regarding the lawsuit, a spokesperson from DoNotPay spoke to UNILAD. "DoNotPay respectfully denies the false allegations. The named plaintiff has submitted dozens of successful cases to DoNotPay and the cases highlighted in this lawsuit are meritless. The case is being filed by a lawyer who has personally been paid hundreds of millions from class actions, so it’s unsurprising that he would accuse an AI of ‘unauthorized practice of law.' We will defend ourselves vigorously," the spokesperson told the outlet. The fate of the AI-power legal advisor is uncertain but at the same time, robotic maids to teachers and masseuses are on the rise and possibly posing a threat to mankind and their jobs in the future.