The FTC just launched Operation AI Comply, targeting a sweep of companies using artificial intelligence to mislead and defraud consumers. Targets include 'robot lawyer' DoNotPay, which agreed to pay $193,000 over bogus claims, and AI writing tool Rytr for mass-producing fake reviews. Why it matters: Regulators are making it crystal clear that slapped-on AI branding does not exempt companies from existing consumer protection laws.
DoNotPay is gearing up to send an AI chatbot into a courtroom next month to help a defendant fight a speeding ticket. The AI will listen to the proceedings via a smartphone and feed defense arguments through an earpiece, with DoNotPay covering all fines if they lose. To get around courtroom electronics bans, the startup is leaning on a loophole that classifies the earpiece as a hearing aid.
DoNotPay is taking its legal bot directly into a real US courtroom to contest a speeding ticket. A defendant will wear an earpiece while the AI listens to the hearing via smartphone and feeds them exact lines to tell the judge. If the experiment falls flat, the startup promised to pay the fine.
