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Monday Happenings at ILTACON 2024: eDiscovery Trends

Monday Happenings at ILTACON 2024

ILTACON 2024 is on! The conference has already started with the Opening Reception last night, so here are Monday happenings at ILTACON 2024!

As I discussed here, here and here, the International Legal Technology Association’s (ILTA) annual conference ILTACON 2024 is being conducted this week at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. The conference has already started with the Opening Reception last night and today is the first day of sessions!

Each day at ILTACON 2024, eDiscovery Today will highlight notable sessions for the day – in most cases, those sessions will relate to eDiscovery, Information Governance, cybersecurity, data privacy, or artificial intelligence (as well as a few other happenings during the week). All times ET. Here are Monday happenings at ILTACON 2024!

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9:00am-10:30am:

Monday Keynote: Hannah Fry Delta Ballroom A (w/Cor)

The mastermind behind Bloomberg’s series “The Future with Hannah Fry” and esteemed Professor of Mathematics, Hannah Fry, will be appearing at ILTACON as one of our expert keynote speakers!

Her explorations have taken her far and wide, where she has engaged with leaders in AI, robotics, chemistry, and technology. Through her extensive experiences, she has uncovered future technological advancements and their potential impacts on society. 

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11:00am-Noon:

ACEDS Presents: The Perils and Promises of Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the AI Jungle (Magnolia Ballroom)

In this session, industry leaders will guide you through the perilous landscape of artificial intelligence, revealing the hidden dangers that AI poses to the legal system and society at large. Like the classic “Pitfall” video game, you’ll encounter numerous hazards and challenges. However, there are also golden opportunities to uncover amidst the quicksand and lurking threats.

After delving into cautionary tales and real-world examples of AI gone awry, we will focus on a crucial discussion on potentially taming this powerful technology. Join us to explore how we can navigate the AI jungle, turning pitfalls into pathways and learning to harness AI’s potential for the greater good.

Speakers: Michael Quartararo, President, Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS); Julie Brown, Director of Practice Technology, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP; David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel and Legal Education Director, Relativity ODA LLC; Catherine Casey, Chief Growth Officer, Reveal.

AI Decision-Making: Identifying Use Cases Before Selecting a Solution (Presidential Ballroom South)

Many legal organizations are exploring AI applications because it is the new technology that is expected to change the way they work. Without clearly defined use cases, investments in products may be fraught with challenges. This session will cover how to begin examining existing processes and workflows to determine if there are good use cases for which AI products would be a good fit.

Speakers: Sukesh Kamra, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, Torys; Reanna Martinez, Manager of Innovation, Systems, and Data, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; Jill Schornack, Vice President, Product, NetDocuments; Barbara Taylor, Chief Knowledge Officer, DLA Piper.

2:00pm-3:00pm:

Copilot – What have we learned in the first year? (Presidential Ballroom South)

Copilot started out as a private beta and expanded to a public release in November of 2023. Join us as we share firsthand feedback, successes, and shortcomings from legal organizations who have made the financial and strategic commitment to Copilot. Participants will walk away with a good understanding of the practical application of Copilot.

Speakers: Hunter Jackson, Senior Director of Knowledge Management, McDermott Will & Emery LLP; Kenny Leckie, Senior Technology & Change Management Consultant, Traveling Coaches, Inc.; Dan Paquette, Practice Group Leader – Modern Work, Kraft & Kennedy, Inc.; Leigh Zeiser, Senior Manager of Innovation, Baker & Hostetler LLP.

Unveiling Evidence: Open Source Intelligence for Social/Business Platforms (Delta Ballroom D)

An insightful session that delves into the utilization of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for effective eDiscovery. The importance of harnessing publicly available online information, specifically from social media and business collaboration platforms, will be highlighted. The session equips legal professionals with essential tools and methodologies to enhance their eDiscovery processes through OSINT. By integrating OSINT into their eDiscovery strategy, legal professionals can significantly improve their ability to navigate the digital landscape for evidence collection and management.

Speakers: Alex Sappington, Co-CEO, Page Vault, Inc.; Josh Janow, CEO, SMI Aware; Julie Lewis, President & CEO, Digital Mountain, Inc.

4:00pm-5:00pm:

Adding Structure to Your Unstructured Data – a Practical Approach (Delta Ballroom C)

Dive into effective solutions for law firms facing the challenge of managing and reducing unstructured data volumes. This detailed session will discuss identifying data types and volumes, applying classifications, and options for disposition, migration, or secure storage. We’ll focus on leveraging AI tools and modernized policies and processes to address this longstanding issue.

Speakers: Terry Coan, Director, Harbor Global LLC; Madeleine La Cour, Director, Business Intake and Records, Baker Botts L.L.P.; Christoper Hockey, Senior Associate, Disputes and Investigations, Alvarez and Marsal; Shawn Knight, Director of New Business Intake & Records, Vinson & Elkins.

Best Practices for Working With Large Language Models (Presidential Ballroom South)

There are obstacles and hazards to consider when implementing such powerful and transformational technology as large language models (LLMs). Building knowledge about LLM capabilities is critical for understanding the implications and risks associated with their use. 

This session will cover the basics of LLMs and dive into topics such as data preparation, fine-tuning models for legal specificity, and ensuring data confidentiality and accuracy. We’ll explore how LLMs can assist in various legal tasks and the importance of addressing ethical considerations like bias mitigation and regulatory compliance. Learn how to approach, evaluate, and select the right LLMs for your legal organization.

Speakers: Corey Gildart, Legal Officer; Cheryl Wilson Griffin, VP of Vendor Advisory, Legaltech Hub.

Byte-Sized Justice: Navigating Fairness & Ethics in AI-Powered eDiscovery (Governor’s Ballroom North)

Join us for a stimulating debate where the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and legal ethics takes center stage. This session delves into the dynamic world of AI-powered eDiscovery, examining the balance between innovative technology and the foundational principles of fairness and justice. Engage with experts as they debate the ethical implications and challenges of ensuring every ‘byte’ of data maintains integrity in our AI-driven legal landscape. This interactive format will provide diverse perspectives on navigating the complexities of AI in the realm of eDiscovery, fostering a deeper understanding of how to maintain ethical standards in the face of rapid technological advancement.

Speakers: David Cohen, Practice Group Leader, Reed Smith LLP; Cristin Traylor, Relativity ODA LLC; Kenton Brice, University of Oklahoma College of Law.

DEIC: Unraveling the Impact of Coded Bias on Diversity and Inclusion (Magnolia Ballroom)

Join ILTA’s DEI Committee for a dynamic panel discussion that delves deep into the heart of technological advancements and their unintended side effects: coded bias. This critical conversation aims to uncover how biases hidden within algorithms and AI systems inadvertently perpetuate discrimination, affecting diversity and inclusion efforts across industries. Our panel of experts will explore the origins of coded bias, its significant impact on various demographics, especially marginalized communities, and discuss proactive strategies for creating more inclusive and equitable tech environments. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of ensuring technology serves as a bridge, not a barrier, to diversity and inclusion. Whether you’re a technology professional, advocate for social justice, or simply keen on shaping a more just digital world, this panel will equip you with insights and actions for reducing bias in the future.

Speakers: Priti Saraswat, Legal Tech Consulting Manage, Baker Hostetler; Candi Smith, eDiscovery Analyst, The Walt Disney Company; Julia Satov, Litera; Jess Barre, TRU Staffing Partners, Inc.

Deepfakes and Disinformation: Taking Phishing to another level (Delta Ballroom D)

The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) has reshaped the landscape of cybersecurity, and applications of this technology, such has deepfakes, have ushered in a new era of sophisticated cyber threats and disinformation campaigns. 

This session will explore the evolution of GenAI and its influence on cybersecurity, showcasing specific case studies illustrating its impact, alongside discussions on the rise of deepfakes and their impact on organizations through online fraud and deception. Additionally, this session will analyze recent changes in phishing and business email compromise practices, make predictions on future cyber threats and attack vectors, and provide recommendations on defending against emerging threats and enhancing resilience within your organization.

Speakers: Michael Shea, Chief Information Officer, McDermott Will & Emery LLP; John Smith, Founder / Chief Security Officer, Conversant Group; Ryan Westman, Director, Threat Intelligence, eSentire; Jack Chapman, VP of Threat Intelligence, Egress Software Technologies.

Defending Generative AI: Choosing the Right Use Cases and Ensuring Governance Delta Ballroom A (w/Cor)

There’s been a lot of skepticism around the use of AI in the legal industry, exacerbated by recent news like the New York and Boston attorneys who included ChatGPT-fabricated case law in their briefs. At the same time, generative AI shows great promise for first-pass document review, fact investigation on large datasets, and more. This course will help legal teams understand and defend their use of this new technology. Including: picking the right use cases, doing due diligence, choosing a defensible workflow, and thinking about governance in light of generative AI.

Takeaways: Picking the right use cases, doing due diligence, choosing a defensible workflow, and thinking about governance in light of generative AI.

Speakers: Kristin Zmrhal, VP, Product Strategy, DISCO; Anush Emelianova, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, DISCO; Zviad Guruli, WHDS Firmwide Manager, WilmerHale.

Here’s a link to the detailed agenda for the week.

In addition to those Monday happenings at ILTACON 2024, there is also the Exhibit Hall Opening Reception in Ryman Exhibit Hall C, from 7pm to 9pm. Always a terrific networking event!

So, what do you think? Are you checking out the Monday happenings at ILTACON 2024? If you’re here in person, look me up!  And 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.

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