Deepfakes, Digital Trust, and the Law: Technology, Detection, and the Evolving Challenges of Courtroom Evidence 2026

Maura R. Grossman, J.D., Ph.D., is a Research Professor in the School of Computer Science, cross appointed to the School of Public Health Sciences, at the University of Waterloo; an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University; and an affiliate faculty member at the Vector Institute of Artificial Intelligence, all in Ontario, Canada. She is also Principal at Maura Grossman Law, an eDiscovery law and consulting firm in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. Maura has been widely recognized for her scholarly work evaluating the application of machine-learning technologies (i.e., technology-assisted review or TAR) in the fields of law, government archives, and healthcare. Her studies have frequently been cited in the case law and literature, in North America and abroad. More recently, Maura’s scholarship has focused on responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) and AI as evidence. Maura is also well known for her appointments as a special master and/or as an expert in many high-profile U.S. federal and state court cases. In addition to her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, Maura also holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from the Derner Institute of Adelphi University.

Agatha H. Liu, Ph.D., is an intellectual property and technology attorney whose practice is anchored in artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and the legal frameworks that govern them. With more than two decades of experience in computer science and engineering—including doctoral research in AI—she advises clients on AI governance, legal compliance, and the protection and commercialization of AI‑driven technologies. Her work brings together IP strategy and regulatory analysis, helping organizations develop and deploy AI systems responsibly and in alignment with evolving global standards. Before entering legal practice, Dr. Liu earned her doctorate at a leading AI research institution and worked as a technology and management consultant at major technology companies involved in large‑scale data analytics and early machine‑learning applications. This foundation informs her extensive experience with AI‑related patent portfolios, including invention development, patentability and freedom‑to‑operate analysis, portfolio growth and defense strategy, and strategic positioning and monetization. Drawing on this background, Dr. Liu takes a holistic, forward‑looking approach to AI legal risk. She counsels clients on compliance with emerging AI laws and regulations; the governance of model development, deployment, and monitoring; and the intersection of AI with copyright, trademark, data security, and personal privacy obligations. Her practice spans data‑intensive and highly regulated sectors such as life sciences, manufacturing, education, and financial services in connection with her work in the firm’s Digital Assets and Blockchain group. Dr. Liu also serves on Duane Morris’ AI Steering Committee and client‑facing AI Taskforce. Dr. Liu speaks and writes extensively on the intersection of law and emerging technology, including patent eligibility for machine‑learning innovations, global portfolio management for AI‑driven enterprises, and the ethical implications of automated decision‑making. Her recent presentations address responsible AI frameworks that promote transparency and explainability; approaches to safeguarding proprietary rights in the age of generative models; and rising questions of ownership and liability in AI‑assisted creation and innovation