Stanford Professor Accused of Falsifying AI Testimony

Professor Jeff Hancock of Stanford University faces accusations of submitting a legal declaration containing fabricated citations in support of Minnesota's new law against deepfakes. Opponents of the law, represented by conservative YouTuber Christopher Kohls and state Rep. Mary Franson, argue that Hancock's testimony relies on non-existent studies, which they claim were likely generated by AI 'hallucinations'. The cited studies, including one titled 'The Influence of Deepfake Videos on Political Attitudes and Behavior,' do not appear in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics or any academic databases. Hancock's expert declaration was submitted to the court by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who supports the law. The plaintiffs assert that the questionable citations undermine Hancock's credibility and the validity of his testimony. Hancock has not publicly addressed the allegations, which reflect broader concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content in legal contexts.