Research Paper

Name

Ryan Schwalbe

Title

Robot Lawyers – The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Law

Synopsis

(Briefly describe your research proposal with the following criteria.)

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI), also referred to as machine based learning, is currently being used in the legal industry. Furthermore, the project intends to discuss the benefits of this technology in addition to the challenges clients and attorneys face both working with and against it.

Problems & Issues

One of the various issues the industry is facing with AI technology is the general adoption and implementation into traditional document review models. Many clients and senior attorneys are still hesitant to rely on computers for document review calls without the validation by human lawyers. The technology also requires a technical understanding of computer science and statistical methodologies used in machine based workflows, which many lawyers do not have experience in. AI methods can also reduce the number of human attorneys necessary to facilitate electronic document reviews. As the technology continues to evolve this could potentially create a drought for attorneys that would have otherwise been needed for the review work.

Organizational Impacts

It’s already been proven that large scale document reviews leveraging AI software can significantly reduce the legal spend when compared to traditional search term and linear based human review models. Courts are now more accepting of this approach due mostly to the controversy surrounding e-discovery related costs proportional to the financial damage merits of many law suits. The technology has also been proven to increase the accuracy and consistency of document reviews which reduce the associated risks of missing key documents and producing sensitive privilege materials inadvertently.

Suggestions

Companies, law firms and governing bodies alike need to continue evaluating the needs and uses of this learning technology for practical legal applications. Currently, there are many private vendor companies with expertise in this area but the lack of standardizations in the industry has created a diverse range of AI software and practices which has in turn has caused confusion through complexity. Industry standard practices should be developed so that training can be standardized, implemented and adopted across the legal community more rapidly.

Future Implications & Directions

As the AI technology in legal review continues to develop the need for human review and even second level validation will continue to decrease. Courts will become more accepting of the process and corporate clients will be less tolerant of expensive, bloated document review costs. Attorneys will need to be armed with both the legal and technical knowledge necessary in order to stay relevant in next generation law firms.

Others

Litigious clients with regulatory compliance or perpetual legal needs will also integrate this technology into there IS infrastructure in order to monitor, mitigate and prepare for law suits more efficiently. This will potentially reduce the amount of outside counsel resources required to operate their businesses annually.