Historically, when technology is introduced into a new function or sector, the public worries it may replace human jobs. But statistically, more new jobs are created than lost, by moving the workforce to implement and maintain modern technology. Such is the case for AI, or artificial intelligence, in the legal field.
AI being introduced into legal proceedings has introduced faster timelines, reduced time spent reviewing, and an overall decrease in human errors. Where human power once took weeks to complete a task, AI could complete in days, with qualified staff reviewing afterwards. But as time goes on, each industry has found new ways to use technology and dive even deeper into its capabilities. Here are just five out of the many ways that AI can help litigators do their job more efficiently.
Legal Research
Legal Research is the original case study for AI in the legal sector, and it encompasses all other uses in it. Previously, AI was primarily used in the past tense to help legal teams to research precedence for cases similar to theirs, connected cases, and search for possible defenses. As technology has advanced however, case teams now have the ability to search further, wider, and deeper on their specific topic. In previous years, the search abilities of a team were stunted by their information and imagination.
Now, through machine learning and the mass upload of information to the general public, AI can pull information on cases from around the world. Not to mention AI can draw parallels to other cases that may be helpful, but would not have been a case team’s first thought for supporting their argument. A common fear amongst a case team is missing something while trying to save previous time. AI and machine learning can alleviate that fear by aiding the search.
Contract Management
Did you know that incorrect contract management can cost a firm between 5% and 40% of the value on a given deal? Firms are often inundated with contracts at various stages of the process, leading to human errors and slow timelines. AI can easily extract and organize data for human counsel to then review. This allows firms to be able to organize easier, decrease overall disputes, and keep track of potential renewals.
Additionally, with the advanced capabilities of AI, firms are now able to set their parameters on what and how AI searches their current contracts. Based on certain wording and formatting AI can compile several types of contracts based on what is in them. This could be the word ‘confidential’ in certain formatting that leads the AI to understand the document is an NDA agreement. Then all of these are filed together. This deep understanding of language in documentation allows AI to show where language may be suboptimal, leading to more bullet proof contracts created in the future.
eDiscovery
Dauntless Discovery uses AI as one of its many tools to make your eDiscovery process faster and more efficient. By leveraging ECA, or Early Case Assessment tools, AI can quickly show what percentage of the total information is relevant to your case, and sort through that first. Then, the only relevant documents are promoted to the active database for further categorization, batching and review prep. This process is verified by a review team with specialized experts in your area. Any manual review conducted is streamlined using these techniques with means quality results for your team, on a shorter timeline.
Predictive Analysis
Predictive Analytics may be the most exciting aspect of AI and its influence on legal proceedings. However, with every innovative technology, there are pros and cons to it. AI used in predictive analysis for cases can predict the personal impact on a case. This includes likely outcomes based on the judge assigned to the case, the opposing counsel’s tactics, and the overall outcome of the case based on what is being argued.
The ethics of this type of analysis are being debated and have even been criminalized in some countries including France. However, predictive analysis has been done by individuals informally for years. One example is counsel applying predictive analysis to conclude that Judge XYZ usually is pro-defendant for these cases or to alternatively to help profile jury members to tailor arguments to appeal to them. The rise of AI and its ability to deep dive into data provides lawyers the ability to tailor all the available information for their arguments.
Compliance
Many teams have been hesitant to use AI in compliance matters. However, it is important to remember that AI, first and foremost, must be taught the function it is doing. From there the system can use statistical information to make decisions going forward. This fact has created a significant uptick in firms willing to leverage AI compliance, in addition to their human compliance officers, to ensure data and information security.
The main argument for using AI in compliance issues is the ability to save time and money. Once a system has been set up and parameters have been established, information can be sorted, organized, and secured much faster than if humans were to do it. This minimizes general human error, saves time, and allows for large scale changes to be made quickly.
Additionally, AI can help with data security, thus adhering to compliance regulations and creating a safer workplace. AI can add to your companies already ongoing security training program by providing a first level of protection. Artificial intelligence can determine what type of attack is happening, and where it is happening in your system without a human involved. This could be malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, or Advanced Persistent Threats. By leveraging AI as your sentry in security, you can nip the attacks in the bud before they ever impact your day-to-day workflows.
Overall, AI touches every step in legal proceedings, and will continue to do so going forward. Many of the potential problems implementing AI of the past are all but gone, and the industry is finding new and unique ways to leverage the time saving qualities of artificial intelligence. While many people see AI in our court system as robots taking over, really it is a new system of checks and balances for our human teams to make sure that every case is conducted fairly, quickly, cost-effectively, and with the least number of errors possible.