The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the legal sector is altering the legal aid landscape, presenting a myriad of opportunities. By employing this technology in strategically chosen areas of lower risk, practitioners can improve their productivity and extend their services to a wider audience without compromising the accuracy and reliability needed in the legal field.
A UC Berkeley School of Law study has shed light on how legal professionals are using AI tools to streamline operations while also addressing the risks associated with their use.
AI tools have been increasingly adopted in legal environments to handle time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks in pursuit of improving efficiency. The first thing to note is that these tools, which promise to streamline processes, are not without risk. The report highlights that AI can produce unreliable results in a field as precise as legal, a problem known as "hallucinations."
To combat these challenges, legal professionals are strategically deploying AI in lower-risk but necessary areas such as document summarization, preliminary research and initial draft preparations, all areas where AI tools can be used effectively without compromising work.
Current uses
AI tools are revolutionizing the way legal documents are managed and research is conducted. By automating these processes, legal professionals can focus more on the strategic elements of their work rather than on time-consuming manual tasks. For example, AI-powered document summarization tools allow lawyers to quickly review large volumes of information to identify relevant details, thereby reducing preparation time for cases.
Beyond these routine tasks, AI is also used to assist in the legal strategy formulation phases. These tools can provide innovative solutions and insights that might not be immediately apparent through traditional methods.
AI applications extend to client management, where they automate intake processes and facilitate smoother communication. This not only improves client service but also ensures that legal professionals can manage a higher volume of cases more efficiently.
In the non-legal writing arena, such as grant writing and fundraising for legal aid organizations, AI tools are also making their mark. They assist in content writing and translation of materials, extending the reach of legal aid services to users of other languages.
Risks
Despite the many benefits, the risks of AI cannot be ignored. Accuracy in content is paramount, as any inaccuracies can lead to legal problems and misrepresentations. To mitigate these risks, the report suggests focusing the use of AI on tasks that inherently carry lower risks, such as creating preliminary drafts or preliminary research, where the end result is still subject to human review and correction.
And, of course, the need for regulatory measures to ensure the quality and reliability of AI tools is also addressed. The study suggests implementing certification programs as "seals of approval" for AI applications in legal aid.
