Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) someday signal the end of the traditional billable hour in legal work? While a clear answer remains unclear, it’s a prospect that’s become a lingering notion for many in the legal profession.
According to an article in the New York Law Journal, notably quoted Foster Sayers, vice president of legal operations at healthcare technology company symplr, expressing skepticism. He poses the argument that the people who regulate the legal profession, being judges and members of the bar themselves, lack the incentive to hand over control to AI technology.
The unclear future of the billable hour in light of AI progression begs big questions for the industry. However, as the article suggests, if AI is to impact the billable hour, the process is likely to be a slow one.