The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Law & Justice has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant named 'Hear Me Out' designed to aid individuals in resolving legal grievances.

This initiative is a collaboration between UNSW Kaldor Centre Director, Professor Daniel Ghezelbash, and the National Justice Project.

'Hear Me Out' is a free online platform that assists users in understanding and lodging formal complaints. Initially trained on legal protections in New South Wales, the AI is set to expand its capabilities to include Victoria. The platform currently clarifies processes for more than 75 authorities in New South Wales.

During a six-month pilot program, 'Hear Me Out' facilitated over 400 complaints. The platform employs a large language model (LLM) to comprehend user-described situations and align them with pertinent complaint criteria. Professor Ghezelbash remarked, "The complaints process can be daunting at best and inaccessible at worst, but the power lies in being aware of your rights."

The development of 'Hear Me Out' was supported by global law firm K&L Gates, along with other legal firms providing pro-bono expertise. Funding was secured through a grant from the NSW Access to Justice Innovation Fund, supplemented by a recent grant from the Victorian Legal Service Board.

Owned and operated by the National Justice Project, an independent, non-profit human rights law firm, the platform is equipped to assist with complaints across various sectors. These include health, police, human rights, housing, education, data privacy, employment, business, media, finance, and regulation.

The AI offers detailed guidance on preparing and lodging complaints and can identify systemic issues for potential reform. Professor Ghezelbash noted, "Just naming the right regulation and the right complaints body is often enough to resolve an issue with whoever failed you."

Adjunct Professor George Newhouse of the National Justice Project stated, "The information Hear Me Out gathers will help expose systemic problems and identify opportunities for impactful reforms."

The platform's expansion to Victoria is anticipated to broaden its reach and effectiveness in aiding individuals with legal grievances.