Amidst the generative AI buzz, it’s clear that adoption by the legal industry has been relatively slow. Reports suggest that only approximately 15 percent of Biglaw has harnessed AI technology, with lawyers outside of the progressive tech sphere expressing concern that it could potentially become a catalyst for legal malpractice rather than a key 21st-century tool.
However, technological advancements have historically pushed the legal profession into the future, challenging traditional work habits and processes. This is likely to continue, particularly as generative AI begins to offer distinct advantages in specific workflow areas, offering efficiency and skill beyond human capabilities. The key here is to sell these benefits to legal practitioners in a way that clearly demonstrates the value of such advanced technology. (Above The Law)
Thomson Reuters, a multinational mass media firm, has recently stepped up in this regard, unveiling its plan for an all-in-one GenAI assistant. The assistant provides applications across Thomson Reuters’ professional services, including Legal, Tax, Risk & Fraud, and Media. One of the highlights of the system is its seamless integration with Microsoft 365 applications. This allows users to engage CoCounsel directly from an email client or a Teams message, providing ease and accessibility.
Thomson Reuters’ offering suggests its own use cases, which could be pivotal for adoption rates. A common challenge in new tech utilization is orienting users towards appreciating and understanding its potential. By having the tool propose actionable solutions based on its capabilities and the task at hand, it reduces the users’ cognitive load and increases the likelihood of adoption.
The promotional material for Thomson Reuters’ GenAI assistant showcases its research capabilities – something particularly useful in the context of case law and legalistic information. The assistant can review case law and promptly derive a conclusion, which could be especially valuable when looking for the correct answer in complex situations. In practice, the system even appeared to be user-friendly – providing one-click links to collate results in a Word document or access relevant Practical Law information. (Above The Law)
In an industry where resistance to change is a known factor, only time will tell how these impressive AI offerings fare. Will we see a rise in technology adoption rates, or will skepticism prevail? As tech giants like Thomson Reuters continue to innovate and work towards overcoming these challenges, they offer both a glimpse into the future of legal services and an invitation for professionals in the sector to modernize their practices.