The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) has recently observed a significant increase in the number of submissions prepared by consumers with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common for such submissions to be legally unfounded, factually inaccurate, or based on incorrect arguments.
AI tools can generate text quickly and provide seemingly convincing answers. However, they are not legal advisers and do not assume responsibility for the information they provide. Consumers are often given confirmation by AI that they are “in the right” in a particular situation, even when the actual circumstances or applicable legal framework indicate otherwise. As a result, multiple supplementary submissions and repeated complaints are prepared, which not only fail to resolve the issue but also create an additional administrative burden.
There may also be situations where AI:
- refers to inappropriate or no longer valid legislation;
- provides incorrect advice regarding procedural deadlines;
- prepares legally inaccurate claims for submission to a trader or a court.
Such errors can have significant consequences, including missed deadlines, unfounded claims, or unnecessary financial costs. It is important to emphasise that it is not possible to file a claim against an AI tool for an incorrect response. Responsibility for the decision and its consequences remains with the consumer.
The CRPC encourages consumers to:
- use AI only as a supporting tool;
- verify information provided by AI through official sources or by consulting a specialist;
- carefully assess legal advice and calculations, particularly those related to financial obligations;
- avoid submitting complaints or applications to public authorities or businesses if they do not fully understand and cannot substantiate the content themselves;
- refrain from entering personal data or other sensitive information without ensuring that such data will not become publicly accessible.
AI tools can also be useful when choosing goods and services or performing various calculations, for example, selecting materials required for home repairs and calculating the quantities needed. However, consumers should be aware that information generated by AI may be inaccurate or incomplete. Therefore, it is advisable to verify its accuracy before making any decisions. Responsibility for inaccurate calculations or inappropriate recommendations lies with the user.
Recommendations for consumers:
- treat AI-generated recommendations as supplementary information;
- verify sellers and service providers through independent and reliable sources;
- check product information on the manufacturer's website or other trustworthy sources;
- do not enter financial information or passwords into AI tools, especially publicly available ones.
Remember!
The development of artificial intelligence creates new opportunities in the digital age. However, blind trust in automated solutions may result in serious risks.