In yesterday's post, we looked at the emergence of AI technology into the field of cybersecurity. An argument was made that by utilizing currently available AI subsets like machine learning and deep learning to manage routine tasks, the expertise of human analysts could be leveraged more effectively. This provides a calming reality check to popular fear scenarios where smart machines are fast replacing all human importance. Although this could be the case in the very far distant future, for those of us who have to live in the here and now, AI can and should be used where it can increase efficiency and provide performance gains when paired with human experts.
Now, a new article on Huffington Post is saying very similar things about AI and its potential use in the legal profession.
When one thinks of AI, you may naturally think of computers, self-driving cars, robots and hand held personal assistants, which makes sense as these are all well talked about, mainstream AI applications. You would not naturally think of lawyers, trials, courtrooms or legal cases.
But as Lawyaw CEO Tucker Cottingham points out, his company's software utilises AI to eliminate many tedious tasks that lawyers need to do on a routine basis. The piles of paperwork and duplicate forms all need to be filled out, processed and filed by someone, so why not a machine? He too makes the argument that AI should not be feared, but rather harnessed to create a better experience for the people who can use it to save time and focus on the tasks they enjoy.
One technology mentioned in the article as being particular useful for legal tasks is Natural Language Processing (NLP). NLP is an AI subset which focuses on programming machines to understand language. NLP capabilities can be seen in applications which recognise speech or analyse spelling and grammar, to name just a few commonly seen capabilities.
As stated by Cottingham, here are some benefits of using AI in law practice:
Read the full article here.
- Reduce errors: Computers are now capable of identifying typos, grammar errors, incorrect citations and inconsistencies in our writing. These systems can be tailored to your firm or practice area and help to provide an additional screen on our work. Think of it like spell check, grammar check and find-and-replace on steroids. Nothing is more embarrassing than a client pointing out a careless error.
- Spend less time on admin tasks: Computers can now learn from repetitive tasks. You can create workflow automation that takes certain actions based on events. A simple example is an email that automatically sends out once an invoice is paid, or an alternative clause suggested from previous contracts you have drafted when you change a choice of law provision. Streamlining workflows does not necessarily require A.I., but machine learning helps these workflows to improve over time.
- Provide more value to clients: If you are able to streamline administrative tasks and leverage computer help when filling out government forms, creating templates, scheduling meetings and finding the best supporting case law, you have more time to spend with your clients and really understand their specific situation. If you have more time to understand your client’s specific circumstance, you will be able to provide better representation.
- Generate more revenue: If you are able to spend less time doing non-legal tasks, you can spend more time building your practice. You can deepen relationships with your existing clients, stay up to date on case law developments, network with referral partners and meet with potential new clients. These are all ways to leverage A.I. technology to increase work-product quality, reduce overhead, provide greater value to your clients, and increase both profit margins and billables.
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