How can we get more legal professionals embracing AI? Let’s ask an AI algorithm! Here’s what Open AI’s GPT-4 thinks is holding them back and what will change that!

I’ve been “testing” (i.e., playing with) GPT-4 the past few days and decided to ask it a question about legal professionals and AI.

Below is the question I asked, followed by GPT-4’s answer (in blue, verbatim except for emphasis added for the numbered points). Here’s what GPT-4 thinks:

A lot of legal professionals still haven’t embraced the use AI and machine learning technologies. Why is that and what can be done to change it?

There are several reasons why some legal professionals have been slow to embrace AI and machine learning technologies in their practice, including:

1. Lack of awareness and understanding: Many legal professionals may not be fully aware of the potential benefits of AI and machine learning technologies or how they can be applied in their practice. Additionally, the legal field is known for its conservative nature, which can make it slow to adopt new technologies.
2. Perceived complexity: Some legal professionals may view AI and machine learning technologies as too complex or difficult to implement and integrate into their existing workflows.
3. Concerns about accuracy and reliability: There may be concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI-powered tools, particularly in relation to sensitive legal matters. Legal professionals may be hesitant to trust the output of these technologies without a thorough understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
4. Ethical and regulatory concerns: The use of AI and machine learning in the legal sector raises ethical and regulatory questions, such as issues related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency. Some legal professionals may be hesitant to adopt these technologies until these concerns are adequately addressed.
5. Cost: The implementation of AI and machine learning technologies can be expensive, particularly for small firms or solo practitioners with limited resources.

To encourage the adoption of AI and machine learning technologies in the legal sector, several steps can be taken:

1. Education and awareness: Provide educational resources, workshops, and training sessions to help legal professionals understand the potential benefits of AI and machine learning, as well as their practical applications in the legal field.
2. Develop user-friendly tools: Collaborate with technology providers to develop AI-powered tools that are easy to use, understand, and integrate into existing legal workflows.
3. Demonstrate success stories: Share case studies and success stories that highlight the positive impact of AI and machine learning technologies on legal processes, outcomes, and cost savings.
4. Address ethical and regulatory concerns: Work with regulatory bodies and industry groups to develop guidelines and best practices that address ethical and regulatory concerns associated with the use of AI and machine learning in the legal sector.
5. Provide cost-effective solutions: Develop and promote cost-effective AI and machine learning solutions that are accessible to legal professionals at different levels of practice, including smaller firms and solo practitioners.

By addressing these challenges and promoting the benefits of AI and machine learning technologies, the legal industry can gradually increase the adoption of these powerful tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall effectiveness in their practice.

Alrighty then! Those are some pretty good reasons why legal professionals have been slow to embrace AI and necessary steps to change it. Those steps are easier said than done (and I might order them differently), but they’re certainly not wrong.

Here’s a couple of observations based on this response and GPT-4’s response to other questions I’ve asked it so far:

• GPT-4 is verbose: Every question I asked the algorithm got a fairly lengthy response – no concise answers, even when I asked limited and direct questions. GPT-4 is like that person at a party you don’t want to ask a question of, because they will give you a monologue in response.
• GPT-4 likes lists: Another pattern I noticed is that GPT-4 likes to answer questions by providing lists of items to support its response. Sometimes lists are the perfect answer, but not always. There may be a way to adjust that, but I haven’t found that out yet.

Nonetheless, it’s still a darn good answer! I can see why so many people are impressed with what GPT-4 thinks! And so intimidated by it.

So, what do you think? Are you impressed by what GPT-4 thinks about legal professionals embracing AI? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.