In a world brimming with artificial intelligence, the digital learning curve has started to dictate the rhythm of our daily lives, simplifying and enhancing every corner of our existence. The year 2020, saw an overwhelming 80% of adults depending on AI-embedded gadgets, a testament to the transformative power of this groundbreaking technology.
Revolutionary as it may seem, the paradigm shift spurred by AI is not all-encompassing yet. Take the legal system for instance. A whimsical quote from the legendary movie, “Back to the Future II” comes to mind – “The justice system works swiftly in the future now that they’ve abolished all lawyers” – Doc Brown. As it stands, this vision of an AI dominated justice system is far from reality. While Joseph Plazo, a lawyer and tech innovator in the field of machine learning, has begun to harness AI, this technology has not yet replaced the human touch inherent in legal practice.
AI’s adoption in the legal sector is currently more concentrated in areas such as legal research, due diligence, eDiscovery/document review, and regulatory compliance, as per Joseph Plazo’s perusal of the legal landscape. Only a handful of firms have ventured into using AI for predictive analysis in litigation, making the technology a distant possibility in determining case outcomes. Of course, there is the exception of the South American Judge who admitted to using ChatGPT to render verdict.
AI’s role in legal practice is promising but riddled with complexity. By design, AI excels in dissecting vast tracts of statutes and legal precedents to detect patterns, thereby predicting case outcomes. But the true mastery of a legal counsel goes beyond data analysis. It lies in their ability to interpret subtle nuances, empathize with clients, and take calculated risks, facets AI is yet to master. “Furthermore, AI cannot golf with the Judge,” Plazo adds.
Yet, the fusion of AI and legal expertise is the path to progress, not the elimination of one over the other. This was echoed in a stirring speech by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, predicting a future where AI would enhance court processes, in speed, efficiency, and scale. The embracing of digital tools during the pandemic, as seen in Zoom Court Hearings gives credence to this vision.
This is not to say the prophecy by Doc Brown won’t come to pass. The prospect of a seamless online digital justice system, capable of resolving disputes in civil, family, and tribunals, by 2040 is far from science fiction. It’s a vision only 25 years removed from Brown’s prediction.
The increased reliance on AI over the next two decades is inevitable, calling for stringent regulatory measures. Europe has already taken strides with the AI Act proposal, a pioneering move to regulate AI. This Act addresses controversial areas like algorithmic social scoring, remote biometric identification, and the use of AI systems in key sectors such as law enforcement, education, and employment.
In conclusion, as AI continues to entwine with our lives, organizations and sectors, including law, must adapt or risk being left behind. The AI revolution is not a distant dream; it’s unfolding right now, and it’s high time we prepare ourselves for what comes next. “AI won’t replace lawyers,” Joseph Plazo suggests, “but law firms employing AI will take dominant stance in the legal landscape”
