Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, PLLC

AI Accountability

Our attorneys are holding developers accountable for their oversight of safety guardrails.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into daily life has outpaced the development of protective legal frameworks — leaving individuals and businesses vulnerable to significant harm.

When AI systems are developed without sufficient oversight, or when their output is misused, the human cost is substantial. Our firm is dedicated to holding developers, deployers and providers accountable for these lapses in duty.

Actionable Harm

AI harm often stems from the "black box" nature of these systems — where opaque decision-making processes prevent users from understanding or challenging the basis of an unsafe outcome.

Possible harm linked to AI usage includes:

Failure to Intervene

As AI platforms become primary interfaces for human interaction, companies are increasingly in possession of "actual notice" — documented evidence of a user’s intent to commit self-harm or violence. When developers fail to build or activate systems that notify law enforcement or crisis services in the face of clear, actionable threats, they move from "passive hosts" to "negligent facilitators."

Discrimination and Civil Rights Violations

AI systems trained on biased datasets can automate and amplify systemic discrimination. This is particularly prevalent in automated employment screening, housing applications and credit scoring, where protected classes are disproportionately denied opportunities without transparency or recourse.

Privacy and Data Integrity Infringement

Many AI models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the public web, often including sensitive personal information. When companies fail to secure this data or allow AI models to "leak" private information during interaction, they violate the fundamental right to privacy.

Professional Malpractice and "Bad Advice"

From healthcare diagnostic errors to financial investment recommendations and legal research "hallucinations," individuals often rely on AI advice under the assumption of accuracy. When developers fail to warn of these limitations or market these tools as infallible, they can be held liable for damages.

Safety and Product Liability

AI integrated into physical products (such as autonomous vehicles, medical devices or smart home technology) presents direct physical risks. If a system fails to act safely or functions unpredictably, it may fall under established strict product liability doctrine.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, please consult with an attorney.