The interconnecting society in which we live brings many difficulties, so many companies are looking into making work life more flexible and sharper. One central area that would quicken up the pace is how companies correspond with their clientele with the use of 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI). However, quality of communication cannot be tampered with and jeopardised due to professional standards. New methods of delivering mundane services are via technological advancements that will form a more notable role in numerous industries' riveting future.
Over the current years, there have been significant modifications to technological pursuits in company communication with clientele. One area that is the most influential in this notion is Artificial Intelligence (AI) which will have far-reaching implications for those operating in the legal profession in the future.
But what is AI? The term Artificial Intelligence can be applied to computer systems that are designed to replicate human-like cognitive functions. In particular, it includes 'machine learning', where algorithms recognise patterns in data and apply these unique patterns to automate specific activities. In addition, AI also has approaches related to Natural Learning Processing, making computer communication more natural.
The long term goals of AI research include reasoning, knowledge, planning and communication. At the moment, these goals will be a long-drawn process due to the technicalities and complexity that AI represent. When AI is implemented into the workplace, for a few years, AI will have to be supervised and 'trained' to guarantee its correctness and if any alterations may be needed.
One of the most advanced AI systems is present in IBM's Watson. This system is being utilised to develop applications in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, publishing and weather forecasting. Another AI system that many people have used is Siri, made by Apple, a 'chatbot' and uses natural language processing.
AI within the legal sector will help predict case outcomes, help with clientele through email and other automated online text services, helping understand the current legal framework and liabilities issues. Recent developments into AI have already been carried out in a few areas, such as designers and produced between Slaughter and May and the University of Cambridge. This system helps enhance document analysis, and the model was centred around how standard solicitors think about cases to come to a document analysis conclusion. However, there is still room for improvement concerning moral reasoning and further AI development into 'goal' areas.
What are the likely implications for the legal profession?
Impact on the number of legal jobs, especially the lower levels of staff such as receptionists.
Change in nature of legal employment, such as the importance of skill sets in technological systems such as Excel.
Organisational structure and business models will change significantly due to the implementation of AI
Lower legal costs to the fee structures
However, AI currently still requires the general knowledge of a human. These systems are overly complicated and take a lot of patience to advance; therefore, AI will be slowly introduced with time but is inevitable within the legal industry. Many millennials entering the workplace are equipped with good technological skills, so this should not impact their professional advancements into the workplace due to their knowledge and understanding of these system types. Recruitment levels will reduce, but businesses will be entirely reshaped and will be looking for those with enhanced skill sets in law and technology.
The main concern with the adoption of AI within business models is the matters related to ethics. There will be many moral implications and consequences that result from technological advancements, such as security risks, privacy and fundamental freedoms. With so much data within many company databases, this will make it harder to control security and privacy risks that companies face that will restrain the systems. These issues will take many years to overcome when AI is securely implemented into the legal sector.
Currently, there are no legislations in place regarding AI. But, with time, AI is bound to present some legal issues that persuade legislations to be adopted within this sector. The main issues raised by AI, as stated above, are liability and privacy concerns which seem to be areas where laws will need to be executed. At the moment, NGO's are carrying out work that illuminates the risks that AI will bring towards human rights and liberties, including Amnesty International, Access Now and Privacy International. These big names are all concerned over factors that seem to be issues we will face soon. In addition, Yeung states that laws and legal frameworks such as the EU General Protection Regulation (GDPR) will adopt emerging issues AI presents with time, as safeguarding and rights for transparency are issues AI projects.
Overall, it is clear that AI will take centre stage in the upcoming years. As various collaborations occur between firms and technology providers, AI will become considerably more complex and innovative and will assist in ordinary tasks to speed up the workplace. However, these technologies are likely to take many years to accomplish their goals, so it is no worry at the current moment for ambitious lawyers. Furthermore, AI will also allow aspiring lawyers to quicken their workloads and understand the logic behind their jobs with the help of technology. Therefore, this prospect is nothing to concern those wanting to enter the legal sector - time will show the fantastic opportunities this formulaic system will bring.
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