A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Research and Oversight of Artificial Intelligence in Courts Act of 2026 on Thursday, aiming to establish oversight for the growing use of AI-powered speech-to-text and automatic speech recognition technologies in federal courts.

The bill, led by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), would create a 15-member task force composed of federal judges, prosecutors, clerks and other experts from the National Institute of Justice and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The panel would evaluate the costs and benefits of these AI tools, their effects on court record accuracy and litigants' constitutional rights, as well as cybersecurity risks including vendor selection and privacy protections. The task force must deliver a report to the Attorney General and Congress within 18 months of its formation.

"Artificial intelligence is being integrated into every aspect of our society in the 21st century, including our court systems," Hageman said. "As an attorney for over three decades, I know our justice system demands precision and security. Congress must protect the integrity of our courts with vigorous oversight that remains up to date with emerging technologies."

Wicker emphasized the need for scrutiny as federal courts adopt AI to streamline operations. "This legislation would examine the legal, technical, and constitutional implications of AI in the U.S. judicial system," he stated. "Ensuring accuracy is critical to fair justice." Welch, the Senate's only former public defender, highlighted human expertise. "Court reporters and captioners are irreplaceable," he said. "Accuracy, privacy, and security are paramount."

The measure has support from the National Court Reporters Association, which warns that AI transcription systems lack the reliability of trained human reporters. "The integrity of our judicial system depends on accurate, secure, and reliable court records," said NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen. Executive Director Dave Wenhold added, "Human expertise remains irreplaceable in capturing complex legal proceedings."

Concerns over AI in the judiciary have mounted following incidents where federal judges approved orders drafted by staff using AI tools that included fabricated case citations and errors. In October 2025, such cases prompted Senate Judiciary Committee inquiries and calls from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for formal regulations. Courts have increasingly explored AI for transcription to cut costs and boost efficiency, but critics argue automated systems falter with accents, technical jargon or noisy environments, potentially undermining due process.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), oversees federal court administration and could advance the bill. No hearing has been scheduled yet, but the introduction reflects broader Capitol Hill efforts to address AI's rapid integration amid a lack of uniform federal guidelines.

Proponents view the task force as a prudent step to balance innovation with safeguards essential to public trust in the judiciary.