Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries — and the courtroom is no exception. In a recent GLG webcast, President of TecnoKal LLC and CIO of Metaxfashion, Hermann Plank shared actionable insights on how expert witnesses can use AI tools to bolster their credibility, streamline case preparation, and uncover critical insights in litigation. Hermann also serves in GLG’s network as an expert witness in products and manufacturing.
Key takeaways:
AI Is a Tool — Not a Replacement
Plank emphasized that AI is not a standalone solution, but a powerful tool to amplify human expertise. By integrating AI with deep domain knowledge, expert witnesses can deliver more precise, defensible insights without overstepping their professional boundaries.
AI significantly enhances efficiency in several core areas of case prep and streamlining research:
- Advanced legal research: Quickly synthesizing scientific literature, patent data, and standards.
- Document review: Rapidly scanning and summarizing large volumes of discovery materials.
- Material and process analysis: Especially useful in technical fields like plastics, where agents trained on specific standards (e.g., ISO, OSHA) or material data sheets can provide fast validation.
Real-World Success
Plank illustrated how AI is reshaping expert witness work by enhancing efficiency, precision, and preparedness. For document-heavy cases, AI tools can drastically reduce the time spent reviewing discovery materials — potentially surfacing critical insights that might otherwise be missed. One of Plank’s tactics is “AI shadowboxing”: using AI to simulate opposing counsel’s questioning to anticipate and counter challenges before they arise. By analyzing deposition transcripts, AI can identify inconsistencies, predict lines of questioning, and help refine responses — all before entering the courtroom.
Best Practices for Expert Witnesses Using AI
Experts want to ensure they are scaling their impact without sacrificing depth or accuracy.
- Stay within your area of expertise. Never rely on AI to stretch beyond your qualifications.
- Double-check everything. AI is fallible (AI is sometimes hallucinating) — validate all findings before using them in reports or testimony.
- Avoid misuse. Abuse of AI can damage credibility and result in report exclusions — integrity and accuracy are more important than speed.
Conclusion
AI is not replacing expert witnesses — it’s making the best of them even better. When used responsibly, AI helps experts become more thorough, efficient, and strategically prepared. For legal teams seeking to leverage the full power of expert testimony, partnering with AI-enabled experts could be the key to stronger outcomes in court.
If you’d like to connect with Hermann Plank or any other expert witnesses for an upcoming case, please get in touch.