U.S. FEDResearch
SSRN: Blank and Osofsky urge agencies to expand official legal explainers as AI advice spreads
In an article posted to SSRN on October 9, 2026 and forthcoming in the Administrative Law Review, Joshua D. Blank of UC Irvine and Leigh Osofsky of UNC argue that the spread of AI-generated legal information means federal agencies should intensify their "legal explainers" such as fact sheets, website summaries and social media posts, promote them as official, target groups most in need, and warn the public about unreliable private AI legal advice.
Key points
- The 61-page article, dated October 7, 2026, is forthcoming in volume 79 of the Administrative Law Review.SSRN
- They argue third-party AI often states the law incorrectly, answers inconsistently, and varies in quality depending on whether users pay.SSRN
- They urge agencies to identify and promote their own descriptions of the law as official agency legal explainers.SSRN
- They recommend using the most effective communication tools and targeting explainers to groups most in need of reliable legal information.SSRN
- They also urge agencies to monitor and warn the public about problems with AI legal advice from private sources.SSRN
- The article is based on a report the authors, as ACUS consultants, will submit to the Administrative Conference of the United States in 2027.SSRN