In recent developments across the legal industry, various Am Law 200 firms have ceased utilization of ChatGPT and generative AI for client services due to potential vulnerability such as data breaches and computational hiccups colloquially known as ‘hallucinations’. However, these setbacks are far from spelling the end of AI use in the legal sector. Contrarily, several law firms are moving forward with AI-enabled platforms, exploring alternate options to improve upon the drawbacks of the nascent technologies utilized until now.
A number of firms are beta-testing with platforms like Harvey and CoCounsel. These platforms present technologies that potentially rectify the concerns arising from earlier AI applications. Rather than a wholesale retreat from AI, the legal world seems to view these concerns as mere teething problems, treating them as an impetus to advance the security and efficiency of AI solutions.
Speaking on the matter, Kate Orr, global head of practice innovation at Orrick, amusingly analogized generative AI to “an overeager intern who wants to make you happy”. Although this presents a cautionary note about the pitfalls of using AI, it doesn’t suggest a turn away from it, but rather the need for evolving the technology to become a more secured, reliable tool in the provision of legal services.
While the legal industry seeks a more secure AI solution, it remains clear that the role of artificial intelligence in law firms, though evolving, is undeniably here to stay.
For further details, refer to the article on Law.com.