Before we discuss the impacts on the law, I should briefly explain what AI is. Artificial intelligence is the ability of machines to think like humans. AI technologies make use of masses of learning data to be able to think like you or me.
AI is beginning to make waves in the legal field. Many legal documents are time-consuming and repetitive. It is already possible to automate some parts of this, such as drafting contracts. However, analyzing legal documents requires experts to write algorithms, and only then does a machine-written document become automated. Lawyers can then take over and interpret it. However, an increasing number of start-ups are now producing AI-based document analysis systems to speed up the legal caseload.
Typical uses of AI in the legal system include:
- Generating legal documents – many of the papers we spent hours and hours drafting in the past will become autogenerated specifically for each case.
- Providing chatbots – many of the communications between lawyer and client involve capturing data. This can be quickly and easily achieved using chatbots at a time that is comfortable for you.
- Engaging with the court computer systems – filing court papers electronically is now a regular part of practice life. However, it can still be very time consuming to collate and format documents in the specific formats required. AI will help reduce this admin burden.
- Making automated legal decisions – AI is already being used worldwide in the fight against traffic offences. Automatic Number Plate Recognition uses AI techniques. The issuance of traffic tickets is increasingly being dealt with by computers and AI systems.
- Making a legal case presentation – AI systems can now help generate presentations of evidence and case details, reducing the hours of preparation traditionally required.
- Keeping up to date with the latest legal issues – AI systems can produce easy to read summaries of complex legal judgements and write automated content about the law.
- Trying cases – AI systems are already advanced enough to make judgements on cases. However, it is still likely to be a very long time before people are willing to accept a computer judgement.
- Helping manage a legal library or journal – managing a legal library or a legal journal can be an incredibly time consuming and repetitive task. AI can help speed this up and manage the documents.
- Identifying or rejecting a defendant’s lack of consent – in a similar way to judgements, this is likely to take many years before the public will accept it.
Over the coming years, AI will influence and impact the legal system more and more. At Suresh Law, we plan to be there at the front of this AI revolution. Watch out over the coming months and years for the robots to slowly take over. In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch if you need any legal assistance. You can email us at [email protected], or call us at (416) 847-5305.