Use lawsuits to hold AI deployers accountable under existing laws.
Support strategic lawsuits that apply existing civil rights, consumer protection, and privacy laws to high-impact AI deployments. The goal is to win remedies and precedent that stop harmful uses, force accountability, and deter repeat misconduct. Litigation is most useful when specific harms need immediate relief or when policy change is moving slowly.
Why this works
- Litigation can set important precedents and immediately curtail harmful AI implementations.
- For example, civil rights groups have sued over biased algorithmic hiring tools or faulty facial recognition that led to wrongful arrests, forcing changes.
- If regulators or impacted individuals win cases (e.g.
- an AI product found to violate discrimination laws), it creates a deterrent for other companies.
- It also shines public light on AI malpractices through court proceedings.
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Tax-deductibleFood and health policy watchdog advancing safer food, honest labeling, and evidence-based nutrition.
Mechanism
About LitigationHow Center for Science in the Public Interest uses funding
- Identify cases where inaccurate or biased AI decisions cause concrete harm in areas like hiring, lending, or policing.
- Build legal theories and evidence under existing anti-discrimination and consumer protection frameworks.
- File cases or amicus briefs that test and clarify legal boundaries for AI deployers.
- Seek remedies that require changes in systems and practices, not just one-time payouts.
- Use discovery and public filings to surface facts that regulators and lawmakers can act on.
- Coordinate with advocates and regulators so litigation complements policy and enforcement work.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Case pipeline identified
EarlyHigh-impact case opportunities and legal theories are scoped with partners.
- 2
First filings submitted
As cases launchInitial complaints or amicus briefs are filed with a clear theory of accountability.
- 3
Key rulings or settlement leverage
During litigationA ruling or negotiation milestone creates leverage for meaningful remedies.
- 4
Remedy implementation tracked
After outcomesRequired changes are monitored and documented for replication.
- 5
Precedent packaged for policy use
OngoingLessons are translated into guidance and model policy concepts.