Mohammed V University in Rabat
The Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences – Souissi
M.A. Program: Constitutional, Political, and Administrative Studies
Language & Communication in English
Prof. Alami Merrouni
“How AI is Revolutionizing the Practice of Law” by Elijah Hartman
Artificial Intelligence and the Law
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents attorneys with an opportunity to evolve as legal
practitioners, to increase efficiency, to expand abilities, and to transform the delivery of legal services—
making them faster and more cost effective for clients. That is of course, if you can master the technology
and learn how to interact with it in a way that produces the best results. In this post, I will detail some of
the prompt engineering techniques attorneys need to effectively implement AI in their practice, and some
of the challenges they face.
AI tools can significantly enhance productivity and enable lawyers to handle complex tasks with greater
speed and precision. By automating routine tasks such as document review and drafting, and discovery,
AI allows lawyers to focus their expertise on higher-level strategic analysis and client advocacy, ultimately
delivering enhanced value to their clients.
Embracing AI: The Need for Lawyers to Adapt
It is imperative for lawyers to embrace and harness the capabilities of AI. This entails a shift in how
lawyers approach their work, requiring them to acquire new skills and adapt to evolving technological
landscapes. Though the prospect of integrating AI into legal practice may initially seem daunting, it offers
myriad opportunities for professional growth and innovation.
To effectively utilize Generative AI tools, lawyers must train themselves in how to interact with its
algorithms to generate end results they can use. One way to obtain this technical proficiency and strategic
acumen is to actually start using it. When approaching AI in your work, don’t be discouraged by the initial
result. Try tackling the same problem in different ways. Refine your query construction techniques. Use
more specificity, qualifiers, and modifications. And hone your critical thinking skills to evaluate and
interpret AI-generated outputs.
Prompt Engineering
For legal professionals new to AI, mastering prompt engineering techniques is crucial for effective
utilization of these tools. When it comes to Generative AI like ChatGPT, prompt engineering becomes
incredibly important. Prompt engineering is the skill of talking to AI and generating accurate and relevant
results. If you turn to AI and ask for an output on a particular topic, without effective prompt engineering,
it is likely to give you a generic and bland response. Interacting with AI is all about good communication
skills, it’s not about writing in code. When you get a bad response, the problem is not the AI, it’s the user.
Challenges Faced by Legal Professionals Using AI
Despite the tremendous potential of Generative AI, its integration into legal practice is not without
challenges. Legal practitioners may encounter hurdles in learning and implementing AI technologies,
including the following:
1. Technical Complexity: Generative AI systems operate on complex algorithms and require a
nuanced understanding of machine learning principles, posing a potentially steep learning curve
for lawyers unfamiliar with computational concepts.
2. Ethical Considerations: The use of AI in legal practice raises ethical concerns regarding
algorithmic bias, and the protection of client confidentiality. Another significant concern is the
potential for algorithmic bias, where AI systems might accidentally perpetuate or amplify existing
prejudices. This risk is particularly acute in sensitive areas such as criminal justice, where biased
AI could affect sentencing recommendations. Additionally, the safeguarding of client
confidentiality in the era of AI demands rigorous attention.
3. AI Errors: AI is not perfect, and it has been known to generate erroneous and inaccurate results.
Thoroughly reading and fact checking case citations and legal analyses is crucial, and using AI
requires an investment of attorney time and attention to make certain any outputs are actually
accurate and relevant. The potential for errors in AI outputs necessitates thorough review by legal
professionals. For instance, AI-powered legal research tools can expedite initial research, but
lawyers must still analyze the findings and ensure their accuracy.
4. Job Losses: Though AI offers numerous advantages, it’s important to acknowledge concerns
regarding potential job displacement within the legal profession. As AI automates tasks, some legal
roles may evolve or change.
Anticipating the Future Implications of AI in Legal Practice
As AI technologies continue to evolve, their impact on the legal profession will deepen. One can envisage
a future where AI not only automates routine tasks but also provides sophisticated insights that shape legal
strategy. This future landscape will likely require lawyers to possess a new set of skills, blending
traditional legal acumen with a robust understanding of AI technologies.
The role of legal education will also need to adapt, preparing new lawyers for a tech-driven legal
environment with courses on AI ethics, data science, and technology law.
Navigating this future will demand thoughtful engagement with the ethical, practical, and professional
challenges that accompany the rise of AI in law. By anticipating these developments, the legal profession
can position itself to embrace the opportunities of AI while safeguarding the principles of equity and
confidentiality that underpin the justice system.
Conclusion
The legal profession is well suited to incorporate AI in meaningful and beneficial ways for both lawyers
and clients. Becoming proficient in prompt engineering techniques and learning to efficiently utilize AI
on a wide range of platforms will help attorneys achieve better outcomes for their clients, and elevate the
quality of their work.
The integration of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for the legal profession. Though AI can
enhance efficiency and productivity, lawyers must navigate these advancements thoughtfully to mitigate
potential drawbacks and ensure the ethical use of this technology.
Retrieved from: Harissilwoski.com
