The promise shown by artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools in providing and streamline legal aid could see a stumbling block in cost accessibility, particularly for those most in need of such services. Dorna Moini, an attorney and entrepreneur, with her platform, HelpSelf Legal, sought to provide a service where domestic violence victims could navigate legal proceedings with ease by using an automated tool. This tool guides users to suitable legal paths and generates documents required for their cases.
Moini expanded her vision in 2020 to create Gavel, a platform that drives legal automation, tailored for legal professionals to guide their clients through proceedings. Gavel, unlike other AI tools such as chatbots, reduces human error while allowing for complete customization, providing a more reliable and efficient alternative for its users. However, the average subscription cost of these platforms, ranging from $83 to $250 a month, has raised concerns about the affordability for non-profit organizations and individuals representing themselves in court.
Similar concerns were raised during a discussion hosted by the Legal Service Corporation, by Andrew M. Perlman, a dean and professor at Suffolk University Law School. In the broader consequences, the deployment of AI in legal scenarios could deepen the gap between those who can afford to leverage such technology and those that can’t, creating potential inequalities within the justice system.
Experts have suggested the need for some form of regulation to mitigate the risks associated with the AI technology in the legal field. While AI has the potential to democratize legal aid, the concern lies in whether the poor and underserved communities will have necessary access to these technological advancements.