Could Artificial Intelligence help make divorce 'fairer'?
A new study is looking at what needs to happen to ensure both parties can have equal access to information and advice during proceedings
Last updated 16th Jun 2023
Researchers at the University of Exeter are looking at whether artificial intelligence could be used to help couples getting divorced.
They say there's cases where one party can lose out in settlements as they don't know all their rights - or can't afford expensive legal help.
More than 40 per cent of marriages end in divorce - with a fifth in the first decade.
A spokesperson for the project said: "This research from the University of Exeter is being conducted ahead of the development phase, so that the information can be used to make sure that the technology is efficient and appealing to as many people as possible, not just those who already use technology regularly.
Psychology PhD student, Mustafa Biber, from the University of Exeter spoke to reporter Andrew kay
"With legal aid for divorce available to very few people, many are no longer able or willing to hire a solicitor to help them. This can result in some walking away from a divorce without everything they are entitled to, which can have a financial and emotional impact on them and often their children - an issue which disproportionately affects women."
Psychology PhD student, Mustafa Biber, from the University of Exeter said: “While it’s understandable that someone going through a divorce would like to speak to someone in person for advice, unfortunately since the change to legal aid many can’t afford to go to a solicitor - especially in a cost-of-living crisis.
"Lots of people wouldn’t consider using AI for advice about their divorce, while others may not have access or the right skills. This digital divide is often ignored when developing technology and must be fixed retrospectively. We want to avoid that by discovering and understanding any potential barriers before development begins."
A donation of £2 will be made to charity on behalf of participants who need to be UK residents - with the anonymous survey taking around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Click here for more about the study and how to take part