‘Show How 3M Is 0% at Fault:’ Expert Witness Used ChatGPT to Write Report Defending Company in Deadly Explosion Lawsuit
404 Media • • technology
Key Points:
- An expert witness hired by 3M in a Houston explosion lawsuit used ChatGPT to generate significant portions of his report defending 3M's lack of fault, with AI prompts and conversations revealed during discovery.
- The 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding killed three people and destroyed about 200 homes; plaintiffs allege 3M failed to properly maintain the facility’s gas detection system, contributing to the blast.
- Discovery documents showed the expert, Josh Autenrieth, relied heavily on ChatGPT to draft and revise his report, with about 85-90% of the final report generated or shaped by AI, raising concerns about the authenticity of expert testimony.
- The opposing attorney exposed the AI use during trial, arguing it compromised the expert’s credibility, and the jury ultimately found 3M 30% responsible, awarding over $61 million to plaintiffs in this case.
- This case highlights that AI-generated legal work, including expert reports, can be discovered and scrutinized in court, prompting legal professionals to reassess the use and disclosure of AI tools in litigation.
