Though new and advanced technologies are disrupting several industries, the legal industry has been relatively conservative to the adoption new technologies. For several years now, we’ve seen attorneys carrying out the same old legal processes, in the same old fashion. While other industries are enjoying the benefits of AI, why aren’t legal experts identifying areas where attorneys, magistrates, and clients can benefit by using AI in the legal industry?
“By 2020, customers will manage 85% of their relationship with the enterprise without interacting with a human.”
Such a report indicates that people would love to have minimum human interaction for any assistance at any place. Does AI hold any position here? Well, AI is one of the prime reasons why people have started expecting automated services at every step of their life.
Hence, it is the right time that professionals identify the possible use cases of AI in the legal industry, not only to assist lawyers with their legal research work, but also to help clients get the required assistance at minimum cost.
AI in the legal industry
One of the greatest fears associated with AI is that it will take away human jobs. However, that’s not really the case. While AI will take over the mundane and less-skilled jobs, the more creative and sensitive decisions will still rest with humans.
AI can, therefore, take over legal documentation. An enormous amount of time is spent by lawyers to read, analyze, understand, abridge the legal documents pertaining to any case. AI will free lawyers to focus on the more vital responsibilities.
Another significant area is researching. After the documentation, lawyers have to invest their time researching relevant books, judgements, and case studies to prepare for a case.
Besides, with chatbots, the legal industry can provide clients with the required assistance almost immediately. Deep learning is the heart of chatbots. With the help of this technology, chatbots can easily understand client queries in natural language and offer prompt assistance.
Current advancements
A study from LawGeez says that AI has already started helping lawyers in their documentation work. They have started reviewing the NDAs for lawyers and identifying the risks associated with such documents, if any.
Another mind blowing news doing the rounds is that of AI use cases being seen in the field of legal research. Watson is here to rescue the lawyers and is assisting attorneys with their research work.
Since AI has not completely touched the legal industry and is still trying to make its way here, currently we’re seeing very limited use cases of the technology in the industry. The first thing required for wider adoption of AI is a change of perspective. AI needs be introduced as an assistance to the legal professionals and not as a danger to the profession. It is crucial that legal professionals understand AI and its benefits well before adopting it in their firms.