Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly transitioned from a futuristic concept to a reality, significantly impacting various sectors, including the US legal system. However, its integration has sparked concerns about creating a ‘black box’ at the heart of the legal process, raising issues around transparency, accountability, and bias. This development comes amid broader discussions on AI’s potential to transform legal practices, improve access to justice, and reshape regulatory frameworks.
At Legalweek 2024, experts emphasized the need for a strategic approach to AI, highlighting the Federal Trade Commission’s active role in addressing copyright issues and other AI-related challenges. The evolving regulatory landscape, marked by President Biden’s 2023 executive order on AI, reflects a commitment to managing AI’s risks while harnessing its benefits. Legal professionals are urged to navigate these changes with due diligence, particularly in sensitive areas like client confidentiality and bias prevention.
Harvard Law School’s David Wilkins pointed out the transformative impact of AI on legal careers, underscoring the importance of adapting legal education to these new realities. The potential employment effects, alongside AI’s role in drafting legal documents and enhancing access to legal information, represent both opportunities and challenges for the profession.
The Stanford Legal Design Lab and the Self Represented Litigation Network’s stakeholder session on AI in the justice system highlighted AI’s potential to democratize access to legal help. By assisting in tasks like defending against eviction or debt collection lawsuits, AI could play a pivotal role in closing the justice gap.
President Biden’s executive order on AI aims to protect privacy, advance equity and civil rights, and ensure AI’s responsible use across sectors including the criminal justice system. The order emphasizes the development of guidelines to prevent AI from exacerbating discrimination and to protect consumers, patients, and students from AI-related harms.
US AI regulations, as outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Risk Management Framework, stress the importance of creating AI systems that are secure, explainable, privacy-enhanced, and bias-managed. This framework aims to guide companies in navigating the complex landscape of AI deployment, highlighting the need for ongoing risk management and ethical considerations.
As AI continues to permeate the legal system, these developments underscore the imperative for transparent, equitable, and responsible AI use. The balancing act between innovation and ethical considerations will likely define the future of AI in the legal profession, necessitating continuous dialogue and adaptation among legal professionals, regulators, and technologists.
