AI Reporters Begin Work In Arizona’s Highest Court

Supreme Court building with flag and people outside.

Arizona’s Supreme Court becomes the first state court in America to employ AI-generated reporters to deliver legal news, sparking debate over the intersection of artificial intelligence and public trust in the judicial system.

Key Insights

The Arizona Supreme Court has introduced AI avatars named Victoria and Daniel to explain court rulings, marking the first such initiative by a state court system in the U.S.
The AI reporters don’t create content themselves—court staff write scripts that the avatars deliver, producing videos within 30 minutes compared to hours for traditional production.
The initiative came partly in response to public backlash over a controversial abortion ruling, with court leadership acknowledging they hadn’t done enough to explain their decisions.
Videos featuring the AI reporters will be posted for every ruling and may expand to include educational content and Spanish translations.

Arizona Court’s Digital Revolution

In a groundbreaking move, the Arizona Supreme Court has deployed two AI-generated “reporters” named Daniel and Victoria to deliver court rulings and decisions to the public. This initiative marks the first time a state court system in America has utilized artificial intelligence avatars to communicate directly with citizens. The digital spokespeople, clearly labeled as AI-generated, are designed to represent a diverse cross-section of people while providing timely updates on important legal matters affecting Arizonans.

Created using a program called Creatify, these avatars deliver pre-written scripts from the court’s communications team. They aren’t generating their own content or interpretations of rulings—rather, they serve as digital messengers delivering carefully crafted explanations. The court has emphasized that this approach allows them to produce informative videos within approximately 30 minutes, compared to the hours typically required for traditional video production featuring human presenters.

Rebuilding Trust Through Technology

The implementation of AI reporters comes in the wake of public criticism over the court’s handling of a controversial abortion ruling. Chief Justice Ann Timmer has acknowledged the court’s previous communication shortcomings, noting that rebuilding public trust requires clearer explanations of legal decisions. The AI initiative represents part of a broader strategy to make the judicial system more transparent and accessible to ordinary citizens who may struggle to understand complex legal language.

“We serve the public better by saying, OK, we’ve issued this decision. Now, let us help you understand what it is,” Chief Justice Ann Timmer said.

The court’s leadership has candidly addressed past missteps in public communication. Justice Timmer noted: “We got a lot of backlash for it and probably deservedly so, in terms of how can we complain that people don’t understand what we did when we didn’t really do enough to give a simplified version.” This admission reflects a growing recognition among judicial leaders that maintaining public confidence requires more than just issuing rulings—it demands making those rulings comprehensible to the average citizen.

Expanding Accessibility and Future Plans

The court plans to post videos featuring Daniel and Victoria for every ruling, with content available on the official court website (azcourts.gov) and various social media platforms. Beyond simply reporting on rulings, the court has ambitious plans to expand its video content to include access to justice projects and civics-related information. Officials are also exploring different emotional deliveries and Spanish translations to reach a broader audience and ensure maximum accessibility.

“In today’s fast-paced digital world, people turn to short videos for news and updates,” Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer said in a statement announcing the new program. “I’m thrilled that our court is embracing AI technology to meet the public where they are. With AI news reporters, anyone can quickly stay informed on court decisions, new rules, and regulatory updates—making justice more accessible than ever.”

The initiative reflects a broader trend of AI integration across various sectors during President Trump’s second term. While some experts have expressed concerns about the disclaimers identifying the avatars as AI-generated, recommending they be more prominently displayed, the overall response has been cautiously positive. The court has been transparent about the artificial nature of the reporters, with Victoria herself stating in her introduction video: “By providing timely updates directly from the court, we help ensure you have accurate information about important legal decisions affecting Arizonans.”