At the recent CLOC Global Institute, several legal teams from leading companies shared interactive sessions and panels. Amongst the interesting insights and experiences shared, one stand-out topic was the use of Generative AI within legal teams. Notably, Tim Fraser, the General Counsel of Toshiba Americas, discussed the challenges associated with adopting this kind of new technology.
For many, as Fraser suggested, the use of Generative AI technology in the legal sector is practically revolutionary. “This is brand-new technology. Our people don’t know how to use it. You’re going to have to learn and develop that muscle,” he remarked. This statement profoundly captures the transition and adaptation phase that many legal professionals find themselves in as technology and jurisprudence become increasingly intertangled.
Despite being in its relative infancy in the legal sector, Generative AI’s prospective advantages that it has begun to unveil present an optimistic future. From streamlining manual and time-consuming tasks to offering more comprehensive and faster analysis of legal texts, Generative AI has been showing its immense potential to transform the way legal work is conducted.
However, it is also important to not see Generative AI technology as a magic bullet or to underestimate the learning and implementation curve involved. As Fraser rightly noted, the adoption process of such a technology necessitates an investment of time and effort and a shift in traditional ways of working. Coincidentally, this happens to be a common theme experienced by companies and sectors globally, ranging from healthcare to finance, as they explore the potential of AI and its subsets.
As breakthroughs in AI spill over into the legal workforce, ongoing discussions and shared experiences such as those presented at the CLOC Global Institute become increasingly crucial. They not only offer unique insights and learnings for companies and individuals looking to explore similar paths but also foster a broader perspective on the intersection of law and technology.
To read further, check out the full elaboration on this intriguing subject at the CLOC Global Institute’s various discussions on Generative AI and its role in modern legal work.