Honors Projects

Abstract

Attorneys have increasingly utilized AI tools to improve efficiency, and one area of application is in jury selection, or voir dire. Public concerns involving AI can have negative implications on how the use of AI tools in voir dire would be received. This study seeks to answer how an attorney’s use of AI in voir dire impacts the public’s perception of the process. Previous research is limited, though findings relating to privacy being a leading concern, increased perception of risk for when error outcomes are more serious, and historical abuse of peremptory challenges outline potential reasons for public disapproval of the use of these AI tools. Understanding the public’s opinion can allow for more effective deployment, or caution in using, these AI tools and assist in developing effective ethical guidelines. To answer the research question, I deployed a survey to a nationally representative sample. I found that the use of AI tools causes negative public perceptions of the process of voir dire regardless of demographics or pre-treatment use of AI. These findings have significant implications on the future adoption of these AI tools and appear to caution restraint.

Department

Political Science

Major

Political Science

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua Boston

First Advisor Department

Political Science

Second Advisor

Dr. Ian Young

Second Advisor Department

Philosophy

Third Advisor

Dr. Stefan Fritsch

Third Advisor Department

Political Science

Publication Date

Spring 4-27-2026

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