Meta and YouTube Found Guilty: AI, the Unexpected Ally of the Lawyer

Meta and YouTube Condemned: AI, the Unexpected Ally of the Lawyer

On March 25, a jury in Los Angeles dealt a significant blow to Meta and YouTube, marking the first trial in the United States focused on minors' addiction to social media. This high-profile case was won by Texas attorney Mark Lanier, who revealed that he used artificial intelligence as a key tool in his legal strategy.

The Strategic Use of AI in the Trial

Mark Lanier explained that he integrated AI into his preparation using a platform called Boodlebox. This interface combines several AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. According to Lanier, the use of these tools allowed him to significantly reduce the time spent preparing his case from thirty hours to just ten. AI was employed to structure arguments, anticipate defense strategies, and sort documents—tasks typically assigned to junior associates.

Although the lawyer shared his experience during an interview, there are no public details on the exact impact of AI in this victory. This calls for caution when assessing the actual contribution of these technologies to the success of the trial.

AI in the Legal Field: Between Adoption and Distrust

The use of AI in the legal sector is rapidly expanding, but it comes with controversies. In 2023, a lawyer in New York was sanctioned for citing fictitious case law generated by ChatGPT. In 2025, attorneys from Anthropic were also reprimanded for an erroneous citation by Claude. A researcher from HEC Paris has documented around 1,600 similar cases worldwide, nearly half of which occurred in the United States.

Despite these incidents, the adoption of AI by legal professionals continues to grow, with nearly 70% of them now using these technologies. Mark Lanier's case demonstrates that AI can be a valuable asset, provided that humans rigorously verify each result.

A Verdict That Could Set a Precedent

This first verdict against social media giants could pave the way for more than 1,500 similar lawsuits in the United States. Meanwhile, in France, a bill aimed at establishing a digital majority at 15 years old has been voted on in the Assembly and could come into effect in September. Brussels is also examining the addictive mechanisms of platforms as part of the DSA.

This case highlights a complex reality for the legal sector: the same technology that enabled one lawyer to triumph over Meta has also led to sanctions for others. The key lies in the meticulous verification of information generated by AI.