As artificial intelligence continues to permeate virtually every industry, the question persists within the legal field: is it more effective to purchase pre-developed AI solutions or build proprietary ones from scratch? For some in the Am Law 100, the commendable approach appears to be a pragmatic mix of both, according to a recent piece published in The American Lawyer.
Developing large language models requires both a significant financial investment and a niche area of technical specialization, which is why it’s not surprising that a substantive majority of firms have chosen to lean on established tech vendors in their AI endeavors. This doesn’t necessarily mean in-house development is non-existent, merely that the strategic blending of external purchasing and internal creation commonly prevails.
While the specifics of the firms’ strategies remain guarded, it appears the adoption of AI is regarded not as an optional tool, but as a necessary means of amplifying efficiency and accuracy, both critical facets in the legal profession. This underlines how the question has evolved from whether to employ AI, to how it can best be utilized to complement and enhance a firm’s work.