Defamation by Language Models

In this session, we will be joined by Peter Wills and discuss his article titled 'Defamation by Language Models'. 

Abstract: 
This paper explains how developers and users of a new type of technology, large language models (LMs), may be treated by English and Canadian tort law. LMs could be economically significant, and the liability environment they exist in will affect where they are developed, who accumulates wealth from their development, and who bears the burdens of any negative consequences of their development. Understanding the existing liability environment allows both developers and policy-makers to make informed decisions — about which jurisdiction to offer services in and what to prioritise, for the former, and about whether the existing law serves desired policy ends, for the latter. LMs also raise challenging legal issues, because they undermine common-sense assumptions that are baked into existing legal doctrines.

These issues are identified and explored by looking closely at the doctrine and theory of defamation. The real legal problems lie lurking in those doctrinal weeds and are helpfully revealed by the contrast between Canadian and English law. Minor jurisprudential differences in decisions from yesteryear may have significant consequences if they are followed when text is generated by LMs, rather than by people.

This event will be held as hybrid.
Please register via this form if you would like to attend. 
Please note that space for in person attendance is limited.