AI, social media have deeply affected human behaviour and communication: AG R Venkataramani

Attorney General R Venkataramani addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence, social media, and modern technology on human behavior and communication during the launch of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s books, *The Bench, the Bar and the Bizarre* and *The Lawful and the Awful*. He specifically referenced a chapter titled *Artificially Intelligent, Legally Embarrassed*, which examines AI hallucinations, fake citations, and the dangers of automated research tools. The chapter explores how mobile technology, AI, and social media reshape behavioral patterns and interpersonal interactions, according to Venkataramani. He praised Mehta’s approach, noting that the book avoids abstract academic discussions in favor of straightforward storytelling to highlight the risks of technology-driven thinking. Mehta clarified that the books are collections of true stories, not legal critiques or fictional accounts. He emphasized that while the content touches on courtroom dynamics, it deliberately excludes references to Indian judges, lawyers, or specific incidents to maintain impartiality. The books instead offer insights into the lesser-discussed aspects of justice, lawyering, and human behavior within legal systems. Both Venkataramani and Mehta underscored the books’ value in revealing hidden dimensions of the justice system, blending humor with serious observations. Venkataramani jokingly suggested filing a counter-affidavit in response to the stories, while Mehta compared writing about law humorously to a surgeon joking about their operating theater. The launch event marked Mehta’s first published works, drawing on his decades of experience as India’s longest-serving Solicitor General. The books aim to engage readers with real-life legal anecdotes, balancing entertainment with a deeper examination of how technology and human nature intersect in judicial settings.