Artificial Intelligence, known as AI for short, is rapidly changing the way many of us approach work and even everyday life. For attorneys, using AI is a way to offload repetitive or time-consuming tasks, freeing up more time for higher payback activities like strategizing, negotiating, and meeting with clients. AI's efficiency and accuracy can mean reduced costs and better outcomes for clients. But in the hands of an inexperienced or unethical attorney, heavy reliance on AI can lead to unfavorable outcomes for clients. The use of AI in the practice of law means that now more than ever, clients must ensure they are working with experienced lawyers who demonstrate strong ethics.

Questions to Ask Law Firms About AI

If you are seeking legal representation, here are some of the questions you should be asking with regard to the attorney’s use of AI.

Is the law firm transparent about their use of AI?

First and foremost, a law firm that is using AI should be open about it. Clients deserve to know if and how AI will be used in their case, how AI affects their costs, and who will be overseeing the use of AI. If a law firm is transparent about its use of AI, chances are the firm is using it responsibly. And based on its efficacy, most law firms are probably using AI in one way or another.

How does the law firm use AI?

If you have personally used AI, you have probably seen how efficient and information-rich AI can be; and you have also probably seen how it can confidently make a statement that is absolutely wrong. These are known as “hallucinations.” While AI continues to improve in this regard, using AI responsibly absolutely requires human review and fact-checking, especially in a high-stakes area like law. AI output–even from a legal AI platform–should be considered a starting point in the process and never a final product.

Why do I still need an attorney if AI is doing the work?

Attorneys have long used electronic databases for research, software for drafting, and other digital enhancements to facilitate the practice of law. These are all important tools in the practice of law–but the quality of representation you receive still depends on the skills and experience of the attorney who is using the tools. Consider the last flight you took: commercial jets spend a lot of the time in the air on auto pilot, but most of us still want to know there is a human pilot in the cockpit watching over the flight and ready to take control when necessary.

In addition, the ethical requirements attorneys must adhere to require human oversight and accountability. Even if the law firm uses AI, your legal outcome and the professional responsibility requirements still rest squarely on the shoulders of the attorney.

How does AI affect my costs?

As mentioned, AI can speed up repetitive and cumbersome tasks and streamline the legal research and writing process. While the use of AI should provide some cost savings to clients, the various AI tools contribute to the law firm’s overhead. A law firm using AI should be able to explain this cost-benefit analysis in a way that satisfies you. The firm’s use of AI should lower your costs and not inflate them.

What safeguards are in place to protect my data?

Regardless of its use of AI, a law firm should be able to explain how it protects your personal information. The firm should be using secure, enterprise-quality systems with clear privacy policies in place. Further, the firm must not use public AI tools (such as ChatGPT) for sensitive client information. A legal AI system is built specifically for lawyers. Not only does a legal AI system use trusted legal sources and include verifiable citations to legal authority such as cases and statutes, a legal AI system protects confidential information.

The Future of AI in Legal Practice

The legal process is one that demands knowledge and application of a vast volume of case law that is being added to every day and statutes and regulations that are ever-changing. AI has more than proven its value in the legal industry. With its ability to provide predictive analytics, research and drafting support, efficient communications, complex and voluminous information analysis, and more, AI’s role in the practice of law will only continue to grow. The most successful firms will be those that continually update their technology prowess while delivering knowledgeable, skillful, and ethical legal services.

Work with a Tech-Forward Oklahoma Law Firm

At Titus Hillis Reynolds Love, we embrace technology as an enhancement to our legal practice. Our attorneys combine their skills and experience with the latest legal technology to ensure they represent their clients using every advantage. If you want modern legal support that keeps pace with technology, our team gets results. Contact us today and put your best foot forward with Titus Hillis Reynolds Love.