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following strategies to offset the likelihood of perpetuating AI Conclusion
fabrications and minimize the risks if you choose to use AI to AI is not going anywhere. While AI appears to have many
research the law.
benefits, all that glitters is not gold. I hope the examples in
Knowledge and education are key. Awareness that AI may this article serve as a deterrent for misuse of AI, rather than a
fabricate information when performing research and analysis warning of what is to come for the surveying profession as AI
of the law better arms you to offset the hazards associated with use increases. Exercise caution to safeguard your work, your
AI fabrications. Discuss AI limitations and use cases with other reputation, and your clients.
surveyors and educate others often.
You have your license, experience, and professional judgment,
Verify any legal precedent obtained from AI. One method and you will likely be held liable for any AI-generated
of verification is to obtain and read the legal opinion. There fabrications in your work. AI has no conscience, no morals, no
are many ways to find state and federal legal opinions, and ethics, and no emotions. AI won’t feel ashamed for providing
probably the most easily accessible is Google Scholar’s case law you with false information, it won’t feel guilty for getting you
search function. However, not all cases are available on Google
Scholar and it may be hard to verify whether a case is still good in trouble, and it won’t be held accountable. Intelligence that
law on the issue you are researching, as Google Scholar does not is artificial, indeed.
have a comprehensive citator service that tracks the history and Note: No generative artificial intelligence was used in writing
subsequent decisions regarding the case. Databases specifically this article. Information contained within this article is not legal
designed for legal research, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, or advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Fastcase, have a larger repository of cases and more nuanced The opinions in this article are the author’s own and do not
citator services. represent the position or opinions of the author’s employer.

Enlist an attorney. Legal research is complex and good law must About the Author:
be verified. Especially if you are involved with a particularly From teaching university classes to digging fire line, Vailferree
difficult or complex issue, the help of a competent attorney is Brechtel has extensive education and experience in natural resources
well worth the price to avoid AI fabrications and any associated and environmental management, law, communication, conflict
consequences to your reputation or licensure. resolution, surveying, and literature. She is licensed in Alaska as

If you consult with an attorney, ask the attorney to provide an attorney and a Professional Land Surveyor. She works as a
acknowledgements or disclaimers. An acknowledgement of AI surveyor at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division
use should contain, at the least, details of how AI was used of Mining, Land & Water, where she tackles boundary issues at the
and whether information generated by AI was verified by a intersection of surveying, law, and land management.
qualified human. If AI wasn’t used, the attorney may include
a disclaimer stating that no artificial intelligence was used to 1. Top 5 AI Tools Transforming the Work of Surveyors
create the document. 2. Modern Land Surveying: Revolutionizing Techniques with AI
Consider using acknowledgements or disclaimers of AI use 3. Deed Reader Pro
for your own work. Sources of information for the work you 4. AI at the Boundary – The American Surveyor
produce should be documented and verifiable. With the uptick 5. Judge disqualifies three Butler Snow attorneys from case over AI
of AI manipulated images, you may find it good practice to citations | Reuters
offer a suitable acknowledgement or disclaimer. This may 6. California issues historic fine over lawyer’s ChatGPT fabrications
provide assurance to clients, and the courts, of the integrity of 7. Massachusetts Lawyer Sanctioned for AI-Generated Fictitious
the survey work.
Case Citations | Maryland State Bar Association
Be mindful that inputting information into AI may create 8. NetChoice Pulls Expert After Allegations of AI Fabrications (1)
confidentiality or privacy concerns. Great care should be 9. When AI Hallucinations Become Expert Testimony: A Warning
exercised in what you share, especially in the context of active Tale for Litigators | Maryland State Bar Association
11
litigation.
10. Disqualifying Lawyers Over Expert’s AI Misuse Too Harsh,
Depending on your state’s definition of the practice of Plaintiff Says — Mealey’s
law, exercise caution and confirm with legal counsel so that 11. 5 Things You Should Never Share with ChatGPT — AgileBlue
unauthorized practice of law does not occur. Consider seeking
out an attorney to provide your professional organization with Thank you to The American Surveyor magazine. This article
education on legal research, the definition of the practice of originally appeared on their website on February 1, 2026 and
law, or insights regarding AI use for legal research or subject can be found at https://amerisurv.com/2026/02/01/cautionary-
matter experts involved in litigation. tales-of-ai-use-in-legal-research/.

22 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 62 • NO 3 / 2026 • MAY/JUNE