Missouri chief justice warns AI could reshape access to legal help

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice W. Brent Powell is urging lawyers to embrace artificial intelligence carefully while warning that the technology could reshape how Missourians get legal help.

Powell addressed lawyers and judges Thursday during the joint annual meeting of The Missouri Bar and the Judicial Conference of Missouri.

Powell said access to affordable legal services remains a major concern, saying many people believe they must handle matters such as divorces, contracts and probate cases without an attorney because they cannot afford one.

He said the growing availability of AI-powered legal tools could make that problem more complicated.

“Make no mistake: AI is here to stay,” Powell said.

Powell said attorneys should learn how to use new technology to improve services and potentially make legal help more affordable, but cautioned against relying too heavily on AI-generated information.

He noted cases in which AI has produced fabricated or inaccurate legal information, commonly referred to as hallucinations.

“People deserve human lawyers like you to assist them with their legal needs,” Powell said.

The chief justice also used his Constitution Day address to call on Missouri lawyers and judges to protect public confidence in the court system, tell the truth and maintain professionalism even amid political and social divisions.

Powell said lawyers have a responsibility to support the U.S. and Missouri constitutions regardless of their personal or political views and argued that public trust in the justice system depends heavily on how attorneys and judges conduct themselves.